The NCBC Publishes the Seventh Edition of the ERDs
BROOMALL, Pa., June 9, 2026—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) is pleased to announce its printed publication of the seventh edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs), published with the permission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This updated edition introduces several new topics, including sex reassignment, medical referrals, the freezing of human embryos and gametes, voluntary stopping of eating and drinking, and palliative care.
“The ERDs are an invaluable source of moral guidance for Catholic health care professionals and an indispensable reference point for Catholic health care delivery,” said Dr. John Di Camillo, President of the NCBC. “We are ready to assist with the implementation of the seventh edition of the ERDs in dioceses and healthcare systems around the country.” Dr. Edward Furton, Director of Publications, added, “Given their central place in the delivery of health care at Catholic institutions in the United States and their distillation of the Catholic moral tradition in this field, it is a privilege to be able to publish these directives. The NCBC has made significant contributions to their development over several editions, and our work involves directly applying them to real situations through our personal consultations. The ERDs are a touchstone more broadly for our publications, educational programs, media outreach, and public policy efforts.”
The NCBC has previously received permission from the Vatican to publish the official English edition of the New Charter for Health Care Workers, by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. The NCBC looks forward to future collaborations with the USCCB and the Vatican to bring critical texts in Catholic health care to those in the fields of health care and biomedical research.
To purchase the seventh edition of the ERDs, click here.
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The National Catholic Bioethics Center provides education, guidance, and resources to the Church and society to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research, thereby sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. The NCBC envisions a world in which the integral understanding of the human person underlying Catholic teaching on respect for human life and dignity is better understood and more widely embraced in America and worldwide. More information can be found at www.ncbcenter.org.
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Contact Name Edward J. Furton, MA, PhD
Phone 215–871–2008
Email efurton@ncbcenter.org
Website www.ncbcenter.org
For a PDF of the document, click here.