ASK FR. BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2019

Author: Fr Bitaju

Nowadays a lot of youth is seen wearing tattoos of cross, angels, butterflies even mother Mary and Jesus. To become more trendy youth are seen with multiple piercing. What does Catholic Church teach about these practices? 

Harry Joseph, Cochin, India

There is nothing intrinsically immoral about a Catholic having a tattoo or a piercing. What make those things immoral would be its content/message/purpose. The often quoted Old Testament prohibitions, "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord" (Lev. 19:28) are not binding on Catholics as it refers to ritual law rather than moral law. It is the consensus of Catholic biblical commentators that this prohibition is not part of the unchanging moral law, but part of the ritual law specific to Old Testament situations.

The Church offers some clear guidelines by which Catholics can discern whether it is sinful to be tattooed or have one’s body pierced in particular situations. "Life and physical health," the Church teaches, "are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good" (CCC 2288).  Prudence tells that persons considering tattoos or body piercing must take care of any health risks that may be involved. If it entails a likely risk to health, it would be more or less sinful depending upon the gravity of the risk. If a particular act involves mutilation, or if the act renders a bodily organ unable to perform its function, the act is immoral (CCC 2297).

Persons considering body piercing should also be aware of the implicit messages that the particular act of piercing conveys in a particular time and place. Some acts of body piercing can imply approval for the immoral homosexual lifestyle or active participation in, or a desire to participate in, other unchaste acts. In such cases, the acts of body piercing are immoral because they appear to manifest an approval of sin and thus scandalize others (cf. CCC 1868, 2284).

It is important that Catholics who consider getting tattoos or having their bodies pierced to reflect on the following questions: Does this particular act of tattooing or body piercing involve a risk to my health? Would this act mutilate me, that is, would it inhibit the proper functioning of my skin or another organ of my body? Is the explicit and implicit message of my tattoo compatible with love of God and neighbour? Does it convey an implicitly unchaste message? Why do I want to get a tattoo or have my body pierced?  If I am under the authority of my parents, would this be an act of disobedience that would violate the Fourth Commandment? Would this particular act needlessly offend my family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues, and thus hinder my ability to lead others to Christ and His Church? Can the expense involved be justified in light of the needs of my family, the Church, and the poor?

In many cultural contexts, a woman’s decision to have her ears or nose pierced is compatible with respect for health and bodily integrity and respect for the souls of others. There are other acts of piercing and tattooing that are more open to question. The above guidelines can help one come to a prayerful and prudent decision in one’s particular circumstances.

Source: https://jesseromero.com/blog/what-church-says-about-tattoos