An absorbable, radiation sterilizable, normally solid polymer comprising a copolyester that comprises repeating divalent units of the formulas:(A) --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, and(B) --G--, and(C) --O--CO--CHR--O--.sub.m Ph--O--CHR--CO--O--wherein G represents the residue after removal of the hydroxyl groups of a dihydric alcohol, wherein Ph represents 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-phenylene or alkyl- or alkoxy-substituted phenylene, wherein m represents a number having a value of 0 or 1, wherein R represents hydrogen or lower alkyl, and wherein the divalent units (A), (B), and (C) are bonded to each other through ester groups contained in said units.