Correspondent:

RECTOR OF CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Thank you for sending me the videotape on male circumcision. I have viewed it and now return it to you.

There is no doubt that the medical reasons for advocating male circumcision, while valid, have now been shown to be insufficient to recommend this as a routine procedure. Both the American and Canadian Pediatric Societies have now agreed that routine male circumcision ought not be done but that the procedure be limited to those infant boys who have a strong family history of penile cancer and to those whose parents insist on the procedure for religious reasons (e.g. Jewish and Muslim parents). Further, the advice now given to physicians is that local anesthetic be provided to protect against the pain that is clearly demonstrated in the video you sent.

It is my view that above policy is consistent with knowledge and is in the best interest of newborn religious values of certain groups in our society.