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Dear Catholic Exchange:
Where does the Church stand on tattoos and body piercings, especially tongue piercing?
Thanks,
Natasha
Dear Natasha,
Greetings in Christ. Your question regards whether the Church has made pronouncements on tattoos and other forms of what some may consider “bodily enhancements,” which may include body piercing in general and tongue piercing in particular.
Some people might construe body piercing as a form of mutilation. The Church primarily uses the term “mutilation,” however, to describe serious or lethal injuries. For example, the Church uses the term regarding unjustifiable organ transplants: “It is morally inadmissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2296). The Catechism adds in no. 2297: “Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law” (emphasis original, footnote omitted).
As we will see, however, Catholic theologians sometimes use the term “mutilation” to describe lesser actions that could include some types of body piercing.
The Church has never prohibited ear piercing, and, in the Bible, there is no prohibition against the wearing of earrings and nose rings (cf. Ezek. 16:12). In addition, we are not aware that the Church has made a pronouncement on tattoos, body piercing in general, or tongue piercing specifically. The Church, however, does provide principles that help in answering your questions.
There is, for example, the issue of totality to consider. According to this principle, the parts of one’s body are ordered to the good of that person. Thus, surgical mutilation or other disfigurement must not seriously impair or destroy bodily functions or the beauty of the individual (cf. Thomas O’Donnell, S.J., Medicine and Christian Morality: Second Revised and Updated Edition [New York: Alba House: New York, 1991], p. 122). In this light, because of a concern for the spread of disease and problems that could result from eating, tongue piercing specifically could be questioned. Tongue piercing could also be questioned on “appearance” grounds: specifically how it impairs one’s beauty and could unnecessarily alienate others that one encounters. Other forms of body piercing could also be questionable, depending on how they are done. In addition, regarding tattoos, some would definitely be morally objectionable because of their bodily placement and associated exhibition, as well as because of the images and associated messages of the tattoos themselves.
Depending on one’s culture, and because we should not serve as a stumbling block for fellow believers and prospective believers who may be scandalized or otherwise alienated (cf. 1 Cor. 8:9), a Catholic may have additional reason to refrain from body piercing and tattoos. In other words, Catholics should not behave in ways that will unnecessarily offend others and therefore impede the Church’s mission to make disciples of all nations (cf. Mt. 28:18-20).
Catholics should be mindful of these considerations regarding their own conduct while also being merciful toward those who may have (or get) tattoos or some type of body piercing. As evangelists called to make disciples of all nations, we must not allow ourselves to write people off because of their tattoos or body piercings. If they have not been won to Christ and His Church, we must strive to win them.
If you have further questions on this or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please contact us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). Please keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”
United in the Faith,
Thomas J. Nash
Senior Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
