When Pope Francis remarked in a speech earlier this month that surrogate motherhood was a “despicable practice” that should be universally banned, for some, it signalled a backwards step for the Catholic Church.

Only weeks earlier, the global religious leader had allowed same-sex couples to finally receive the blessings of a priest.

But before we write off the pope’s most recent comments, we have to ask ourselves: does he have a point?

Today, surrogate and surrogacy lawyer Sarah Jefford on the ethical minefields, and joys, of surrogacy.

And former religion editor and centre for public christianity’s Barney Zwartz on what we should know of the pope’s statement.

When Pope Francis remarked in a speech earlier this month that surrogate motherhood was a “despicable practice” that should be universally banned, for some, it signalled a backwards step for the Catholic Church.
Only weeks earlier, the global religious leader had allowed same-sex couples to finally receive the blessings of a priest.
But before we write off the pope’s most recent comments, we have to ask ourselves: does he have a point?
Today, surrogate and surrogacy lawyer Sarah Jefford on the ethical minefields, and joys, of surrogacy.
And former religion editor and centre for public christianity’s Barney Zwartz on what we should know of the pope’s statement.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

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