What does the Church say about IVF?
Answered on video by Ascension Presents
Video: Catholic Teaching on IVF and Contraception Explained, Ascension Presents, published May 29, 2019. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube
In short: Techniques like IVF separate making a baby from the marriage act, so the Church says no. The children themselves are always loved by God. CCC 2376 CCC 2377
The answer, in writing
Techniques that bring a third party into conception, such as donor sperm or eggs or a surrogate, are gravely immoral. CCC 2376
Techniques involving only the married couple are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable, because they separate the child’s conception from the marital act. CCC 2377
Infertility is a real cross, and the Church grieves with you. Every child, however conceived, is a beloved child of God. Ask about medical approaches that work with the body, like NaPro.
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How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs
Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.