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Hi, Eurica —
Just to clarify the language a little: the Church as a whole doesn't bless
anything. Bishops, priests, and deacons do.
- What makes you think that a priest wouldn't bless a newly
conceived pre-born human being?
In theory, there's nothing in Catholic
doctrine against doing so. Priests bless people in all sorts of situations, without condoning the causes that put them there. For example, in wartime or in hospitals. A priest could also be outside an IVF lab for a pro-life protest, thinking:
| "These poor human beings in danger of death. I can't stop them from being killed, but I can bless them with a prayer for divine grace to help them possibly attain eternal life through Christ." |
Nevertheless, in certain situations, the priest might give the *appearance* of approving the IVF method, when the Church is against such an immoral method.
The Church has nothing against the human beings who come into existence
by this means, but She does teach that no one should use In Vitro
Fertilization, an impersonal, unloving, and dangerous method, that creates
new human beings.
- In practice, does anyone actually ask priests to go into an In Vitro lab
and bless the little embryos?
It seems unlikely. Besides certain practical
problems, there are also moral issues with it.
- Have the genetic parents
of the embryo-child consented to have a priest conduct a religious rite
for the child?
- What would the purpose of this be?
<To salve the consciences of people
who are using this immoral technique?>
Most IVF embryos die, either on their
own, through developmental problems, or by being rejected and killed (thrown
away). Others are frozen, in a hideous manipulation of human beings, at
their most vulnerable point in life.
Even if the various post-fertilization dangers were diminished, manufacturing a human being through technological processes, (rather than through a bodily act (a loving sexual union) between one man and one woman), remains contrary to Church teaching and human dignity.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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