Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 2/23/2007

Question
I have been taught over the years that the church views self Mutilation a sin.  If this is a Traditional teaching of the church then why would circumcision not be considered self mutilation and thus be a sin?


Answer
Joe, some people do regard it that way, although some Catholic hospitals apparently continue to practice non-therapeutic circumcisions. There's a huge debate on the topic. Your question pinpoints it accurately.

"The Church spoke forcefully about circumcision at the Council of Florence (1438-1445). Pope Eugene IV (1442) issued a Papal Bull which states in part,

Therefore it strictly orders all who glory in the name of Christian, not to practise circumcision either before or after baptism, since whether or not they place their hope in it, it cannot possibly be observed without loss of eternal salvation." (Source >> http://www.cirp.org/library/cultural/fadel2/)

Follow these links for more details:

This provides a historical perspective:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03777a.htm

These outline today's issues:

http://www.cirp.org/library/cultural/catholic/

http://www.cirp.org/library/cultural/fadel2/

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:1IflxVUhQwUJ:www.catholicsagainstcircumcisio...

http://www.fisheaters.com/circumcision.html

Theologically circumcision was a sign of man's covenant with God in Old Testament times. But with Christ, baptism replaces and fulfills it. One "circumcizes the heart" as it were.

"Paul's point is that the Colossian believers have already been circumcised, not physically, but spiritually, putting off the body of the flesh (i.e. dying according to their sinful nature) by the circumcision of Christ." (Source >> http://christandcovenant.blogspot.com/search/label/Paedobaptism)