Madison Diocese: Back to the Sacristy! | National Catholic Reporter

Madison Diocese: Back to the Sacristy! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I agree that it would in some way endorse this research if the kids went there on a field trip - much in the same way that some priests do not allow female altar servers because it encourages them to think that a female priesthood is possible.  Of course, my response is "that's the point."  There is nothing wrong with stem cell research.  It does not kill and individual, only a potential individual.  Indeed, stem cells are not killed, the chorion is simply removed.  Of course, these stem cells are not that useful because they have not been through gastrulation - which is that point where the organism either continues or fails because it had no chance of life anyway.  Since most blastocysts do fail, working with them in research is not so likely to succeed unless you are working out cloning methods.  As far as women priests, it is long past time.  Indeed, the Church's message on abortion would be more convincing in a feminine voice - although I cannot see women clergy continuing the ban on contraception.