Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. | Rhode Island Catholic

At the start of 2024, Pope Francis offered strong public criticism of surrogate motherhood. His willingness to speak out on this important topic has helped to pull surrogacy out of the shadows, where … more

2/15/24

Genetic Privacy: Should Law Enforcement Have Access to Your Newborn’s Blood?

Many parents and concerned citizens would probably be surprised to learn that their children’s blood samples are being accessed by law enforcement agencies without their knowledge or consent. … more

10/26/23

Setting a Moral Vision as Parents

When I was recently visiting with friends, a group of young girls was playing in a neighboring yard. Every few minutes, for more than an hour, one of them would scream at the very top of her lungs. A … more

7/13/23

Thinking Through the Rationing of Ventilators

When ventilators are in short supply, several key ethical principles can assist clinicians: 1) Ventilators should not be rationed based on … more

4/9/20

A Hundred Love Letters

In a recent essay in the Wall Street Journal, Kimberly Cutter chronicled the death of her father by suicide. As he struggled with rapidly progressing prostate cancer, he lost more than 30 pounds, … more

3/12/20

Christian Girls and Abortion

When Mother Teresa visited New Bedford, Massachusetts, in June 1995, she told those of us gathered at St. Lawrence Martyr Church: “Abortion is the greatest evil of today.” Never one to … more

2/13/20

The Foxes and the Henhouse

Probably the biggest bioethics story of 2019 involved Dr. Jankui He (known to his associates as “JK”), a Chinese scientist who employed a new technology called CRISPR/Cas9 to produce the … more

1/9/20

Medicine and a ‘Sense of the Sacred’

As clergy, we touch upon very holy realities when we baptize, consecrate the Eucharist, give absolution to sinners, or anoint the sick. These special moments engage divine grace in deep and important … more

12/5/19

Pushing Back Against Evil

During a recent speech in Texas, I mentioned that “Drag Queen Story Hours” are being sponsored by local public libraries across the country. Toddlers and kids are brought in and placed in front … more

11/14/19

Palliative Sedation While Approaching Death

Because suffering almost always imposes itself on us during life, and especially at the end of life, it can be helpful to reflect on the need to accept some personal suffering as we die, even as we … more

9/26/19

Contradictory Suicide Messaging

In July 2014, police found the body of 18-year-old Conrad Roy inside his truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, having died from carbon monoxide poisoning. As the case unfolded, it became apparent … more

9/12/19

An Authentic Democracy

Those of us who have grown up within the womb of a democratic society may not always recognize how radical the idea behind such a society actually is, nor how fragile its structure can be in the face … more

7/25/19

Securing Authentic Children’s Rights

Children require extensive support and protection to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They are uniquely dependent on their parents because they are particularly vulnerable. Often … more

7/11/19

The Corpse Raiders

Most people recognize the importance of obtaining consent before retrieving organs from the bodies of deceased persons. They also understand the necessity of showing respect for those bodily remains … more

5/30/19

It’s not just about the frozen embryos

I remember a conversation I had with a married Catholic couple a few years ago. They were feeling lost and desperate over their inability to conceive a child. They were casting about for options. … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. | 3/28/19

“Exceptions” and the Undermining of the Moral Law

Whenever we make small exceptions to universal moral rules, we shouldn’t be surprised that the rules themselves can be quickly undermined. Establishing an “exception” in one case makes people … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph. D. | 2/21/19

The Welcome Outreach of Perinatal Hospice

During the course of pregnancy, receiving an adverse prenatal diagnosis can be a tremendously jolting experience for parents. In severe cases, physicians may tell them that their unborn child has a … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph. D. | 1/24/19

Gene-Edited Babies and the Runaway Train of IVF

In November 2018, a Chinese scientist named He Jankui (known to his associates as “JK”) claimed that he had successfully produced the world’s first gene-edited human babies using “gene … more

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. | 12/20/18

Sexual Orientation: Hope for Restoration and Healing with SOCE

Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) rely on professional therapy and counseling, often in a religious context, to assist those struggling with unwanted homosexual inclinations who would like to … more

10/25/18

Opioids, Pain Management and Addiction: Balancing Ethical Duties

Almost two million Americans are now addicted to opioids. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that more than 100 people die each day in the U.S. from opioid overdoses. This unprecedented level … more

By Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. | 9/27/18