The Catholic Church’s Position on IVF: A Brief Explainer

| 03/26/2024

By: Mary Shovlain

The debate about in vitro fertilization (IVF) came into sharp focus recently when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos qualify as children under the state law.

The Catholic Church teaches clearly that IVF is “morally unacceptable.”

Infertility is a painful reality for many married couples who are wondering why they cannot use IVF and other assisted means of procreation to have children.

We sat down with Alexis Tracey from the Archdiocese’s Office of Public Policy to find out more about the IVF question.

Visit the Office of Public Policy’s page on the Archdiocese’s website to find out more information and learn about available resources and Catholic alternatives to IVF.

"You work for the Church, you are disciples, we are in this together," the archbishop said.

By:

Armando Machado

| 06/18/2026

Archbishop Ronald Hicks explains a key component of the Our Father.

By:

Archbishop Ronald Hicks

| 06/18/2026

01:39
Cardinal Dolan continues the tour of his “prayer corner” with a depiction of the Good Shepherd and an image of the Last Supper.  

By:

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

| 06/18/2026