Infertility redefined: World Health Organization declares Sir Cliff Richard “disabled”

Oct 20, 2016 by

by Archbishop Cranmer:

The world has gone mad. Or, rather, the World Health Organization has gone mad. Hitherto, the definition of infertility has been based on the inability of the woman to become pregnant or sustain pregnancy to live birth; and the inability of the man to cause pregnancy. Fertility problems can be profoundly disturbing for both sexes; the mental and emotional pressures often exacerbated by the financial costs of medical treatments and surgical procedures to remedy the disability. And, by definition, it is a disability – a physical impairment; a restriction from participation in normality – though some may balk at the identification.

It is natural to want children: they are a blessing (Ps 127:3ff; Prov 17:6; Jn 16:21). To be barren is like a curse (Gen 25:21; Lev 20:21; Judg 13:3; Lk 1:7), but it is God who closes up wombs (20:18) and it is He who opens them to bear fruit (Ex 23:26). But what if you choose to remain single? What if it is one’s desire or vocation? What if, with St Paul, you are presently single and consider it good to remain so (1Cor 7:8)?

Well..

In their great wisdom, WHO is extending the definition of infertility to include singleness. Yes, Jesus is to be declared officially disabled, and so is St Paul, and so are all Roman Catholic priests. And so is Sir Cliff Richard, which is a bit harsh after the three years of purgatory he’s just endured.

What’s that you say? That’s not what the article says? “Single men and women without medical issues will be classed as ‘infertile’ if they do not have children but want to become a parent.” Jesus didn’t want to become a parent; nor, as far as we know, did St Paul. Roman Catholic priests may be called to a sacrificial life of singleness, but that doesn’t necessarily stop them wanting to become a father, does it? Sir Cliff has spoken a number of times about his desire: “I think I would have been a good father,” he told The Lady magazine as recently as 2013.

Read here

 

Related Posts

Tags

Share This