Do Catholics believe in donating organs?

Answer 1

trick question. it does not matter what religion, it matters the person

Roman Catholic AnswerYes, Catholics believe in donating organs as long as everything is done morally. It is very important that, if the donation is before the expected death of the donor that they not be harmed in any sustantial way: in other words, donating one of a pair is fine: a lung, a kidney, etc. Any donation that would harm or kill the person who is donating is condemned. Along with that, any organs "harvested" after death MUST be harvested AFTER death and not before. There is more than a little problem now with people being declared brain dead who are not, in fact, dead. To harvest organs from such people, or even from people who are in fact dead, but without their prior permission, is reprehensible.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

2296 Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks to the donor are proportionate to the god that is sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.

Answer 2

This is an issue fraught with peril. Attached at the link below is a compilation of the addresses from several Popes and Councils concerning this issue. Bottom line? Most organs, to be worthwhile for transplanting, must come from a living human being, and Catholics may not donate an organ needed for their own life while they are still alive. In many cases, the Church would see someone as still alive, when the current medical field would view them as dead, but Catholics may only donate organs from a corpse (i.e. from a dead body) and medical science will not accept many organs from a corpse. Please read the attached links, talk to a knowledgeable priest, and pray about this.