Michael Brooks
Circumcision is uncommon in the UK, with only about 8.5% of boys and men in the country circumcised. Most of these are either Muslim or Jewish, with the procedure being carried out for religious reasons. While the Catholic Church does not prohibit circumcision, it is also not considered a religious requirement. The Church is viewed as maintaining a neutral position on the practice, with some Catholic scholars arguing that it amounts to mutilation, which is gravely sinful. Some Catholics circumcise their boys for cultural or traditional reasons, while others do so for medical reasons, such as to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or other diseases.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic doctrine and circumcision
Circumcision is not common in the UK, with only about 8.5% of boys and men in the UK circumcised. The majority of these are either Muslim or Jewish, who are circumcised for religious reasons. The NHS has also ruled that circumcision is not medically necessary.
The Catholic Church's position on circumcision is complex and varied. The Church has never sought to restrict Jews from practising circumcision and has never officially condemned it as "mutilation". However, some Catholic scholars and activists have criticised circumcision as a violation of the principle of totality and as mutilation, which is considered gravely sinful. These critics include Petrina Fadel, who founded "Catholics Against Circumcision", and Fr. John J. Dietzen, who argued that the practice of elective and neonatal circumcision is immoral.
On the other hand, some Catholic theologians argue that circumcision has theological significance, as it was practised by Jesus Christ, who was circumcised as a Jew on the eighth day after his birth. Until 1960, the Catholic Church celebrated this day as Circumcision Day. Furthermore, Catholic theology since the Second Vatican Council has emphasised that God's covenant with the Jewish people, which includes infant male circumcision, remains valid and has never been revoked.
In the Philippines, where about 80% of the population is Catholic, almost all boys are circumcised in their early teens, not as babies. This is a cultural practice rather than a religious one, and boys may be teased if they are not circumcised.
In summary, while the Catholic Church has not officially prohibited circumcision, there are differing views among Catholics regarding the practice. Some consider it a violation of Catholic moral principles, while others see it as having theological significance and a means of grace under the Old Covenant. The decision to circumcise or not ultimately rests with individual Catholics and their families, guided by their interpretation of Catholic doctrine and values.
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Cultural and traditional reasons for circumcision
Circumcision is a controversial topic, with varying cultural and traditional reasons for its practice. It is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures, traditionally undertaken as a mark of cultural identity or religious importance.
Religious Reasons
Circumcision has been a long-standing practice among those of the Jewish faith, with Jesus Christ being circumcised as a Jew on the 8th day after his birth. The Catholic Church celebrated this day as Circumcision Day until 1960. However, with the exception of commemorating this event, circumcision has not been a part of Catholic practice. The Catholic Church has also never prohibited non-Christian Jews from practising infant male circumcision.
Cultural and Traditional Reasons
In some cultures, circumcision is an integral part of a rite of passage to manhood or a coming-of-age ritual, marking a boy's transition into adulthood. This is seen in the Philippines, where it is almost universal for boys to be circumcised between the ages of 10 and 14. Similarly, in some ethnic groups of Bendel State in southern Nigeria, 43% of men stated that they were circumcised to maintain their tradition.
In certain cultures, there is discrimination against those who are not circumcised. For example, among the Xhosa in South Africa, uncircumcised men can face bullying and beatings. This desire to conform and avoid ridicule can be a significant motivation for circumcision in places where it is the norm. Social concerns were also the primary reason for circumcision in South Korea, with many believing they would be ridiculed if they remained uncircumcised.
Additionally, in some cultures, circumcision is associated with masculinity, social cohesion, self-identity, and spirituality. It is often seen as a test of bravery and endurance, marking a boy's courage and transition into manhood.
Health Reasons
There are also health reasons that have been associated with circumcision. Some studies suggest that circumcision can reduce the risk of urinary infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, herpes, and syphilis. These potential health benefits have influenced the uptake of circumcision in some cultures, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries with the advancement of surgery and increased mobility.
In summary, circumcision is practised for a variety of cultural and traditional reasons, including religious significance, rite-of-passage rituals, social conformity, and health considerations. These practices vary across different cultures and communities worldwide.
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Medical reasons for circumcision
Circumcision is not common in the UK, with fewer than 9% of British males undergoing the procedure. The majority of these are either Muslim or Jewish, who are circumcised for religious reasons. Catholicism has no problem with male circumcision, but the practice is not part of Catholic tradition.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the tissue covering the head (glans) of the penis. It is one of the most common surgeries worldwide and is generally safe. It is performed on newborns, older children, and adults for various reasons, including medical ones.
There are several medical reasons why some people choose to undergo circumcision. One of the primary motivations is the belief that it can help prevent infections and improve hygiene. Specifically, circumcision is thought to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), although this assertion is contested. According to the British Medical Association (BMA), there is a "lack of consensus" among professionals regarding the health benefits of circumcision. However, some studies have shown a strong association between male circumcision and the prevention of HIV. Circumcision is also believed by some to reduce the risk of penile cancer, cervical cancer, and other sexually transmitted infections.
Another medical indication for circumcision is the treatment of certain conditions affecting the penis. These include phimosis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, and recurrent balanoposthitis. Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a chronic skin condition that affects the glans and prepuce and sometimes extends into the urethra. In the past, circumcision was commonly performed during hypospadias repair to remove residual foreskin. However, newer techniques have led to a shift towards foreskin conservation and reconstruction, as some patient groups have expressed a preference for an intact penis.
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Religious reasons for circumcision
Circumcision is an important practice in the Jewish and Islamic religions. In Judaism, circumcision is near-universally practised as a religious, cultural, and ethnic marker. In Islam, the practice is mentioned in some hadith and the sunnah, but not in the Quran. The four schools of Islamic jurisprudence have differing views on the practice, with Shafi'i and Hanbali jurists considering it obligatory for Muslim males, while Hanafi jurists deem it recommendable. Some Salafis argue that circumcision is necessary in Islam for ritual cleanliness, based on the covenant with Abraham.
In Christianity, circumcision has historically played an important role in theology. The circumcision of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, was celebrated as a feast day in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations. However, the teachings of the Apostle Paul asserted that physical circumcision was unnecessary for the salvation of Gentiles and their inclusion in the New Covenant. The Council of Jerusalem later declared that circumcision was not required for new Gentile converts, marking a significant shift in early Christianity and its eventual split from Judaism.
While circumcision is not a common practice among Christians in most parts of the Christian world, about half of Christian males worldwide are circumcised, with a notable prevalence in the United States, the Philippines, and some African countries. Within Christianity, certain Oriental Christian denominations retain the practice as a traditional rite of passage, including Coptic Christians, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Eritrean Orthodox churches.
In the Catholic Church, religious circumcision was denounced in the Cantate Domino, written during the 11th Council of Florence in 1442, with warnings of loss of salvation for converts who observe it. This decision was based on the belief that baptism had superseded circumcision. However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church previously celebrated the Circumcision Day on January 1, commemorating the circumcision of Jesus in accordance with Jewish practice.
In the Philippines, where a significant portion of the population is Catholic, circumcision is a common cultural practice for boys in their early teens, though it is not tied to any religious significance.
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Circumcision rates in the UK
The rate of circumcision in the UK has declined over time. In the 1930s, about 35% of males in the UK were circumcised, but this number decreased to about 20% in the 1940s. By the 1970s, the rate had dropped to 6%, and in the 1990s, it was estimated that only about 12-16% of young men aged 16-24 were circumcised. The National Health Service (NHS), which began operations in 1948, ruled that circumcision was not medically necessary and would not be covered. This contributed to the decline in circumcision rates, as did Gairdner's influential 1949 report on the lack of necessity of neonatal circumcision.
While circumcision is not a common practice in the UK, there are still a significant number of males who are circumcised. In 2003, for example, 10,031 circumcisions were performed on boys under the age of 15. It is predicted that if current trends continue, 3.1% of British boys will be circumcised by the age of 15.
When it comes to British Catholics specifically, there is no clear consensus on whether they circumcise their boys. While some sources suggest that circumcision is not a common practice among Catholics in the UK, others indicate that some Catholic families may choose to have their sons circumcised. It is important to note that the Catholic Church has not prohibited circumcision, and some Catholics may choose to do so for cultural or health reasons. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) has stated that doctors should ensure that parents seeking circumcision for their sons are fully informed about the lack of consensus on the health benefits of the procedure.
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Frequently asked questions
Circumcision is not common in the UK, with only about 8.5% of boys and men in the country circumcised. The majority of these are either Muslim or Jewish, who are circumcised for religious reasons. The Catholic Church maintains a neutral position on the practice of cultural circumcision. While it is not part of Catholic practice, some Catholics circumcise their boys for cultural or medical reasons.
Some studies have shown that circumcision is associated with a lower incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and a decreased risk of contracting HIV.
The British Medical Association (BMA) states that parents seeking circumcision for their sons due to perceived health benefits should be fully informed of the lack of consensus in the medical profession over such benefits. The Church has also been viewed as maintaining a neutral position on the practice of cultural circumcision, although some Catholic scholars argue that the church condemns it as mutilation, which is gravely sinful.
