Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sanctity of Life
You shall not kill. You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.
"Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2258
Stewardship of Life
In this view, we are stewards, not owners, of our own bodies and are accountable to God for the life that has been given to us.
Euthanasia
Consists of an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering Constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.
The death caused by euthanasia is not part of the natural process of dying of a terminally ill person. Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2277
Medicalized killing
Medicalized killing of a person without the persons consent, whether nonvoluntary (where the person is unable to consent) or involuntary (against the persons will), is not euthanasia: it is murder. Hence, euthanasia can be voluntary only.
Materstvedt et al, Palliative Medicine 2003
In euthanasia:
The intention is to kill the patient The procedure is to administer a lethal drug The successful outcome is immediate death
Materstvedt et al, Palliative Medicine 2003
Palliative Sedation
In palliative care, mild sedation may be used therapeutically but in this situation it does not adversely affect the patients conscious level or ability to communicate. The use of heavy sedation (which leads to the patient becoming unconscious) may sometimes be necessary to achieve identified therapeutic goals. However, the level of sedation must be reviewed on a regular basis and in general used only temporarily. It is important that the patient is regularly monitored.
The Use of Painkillers That May Shorten the Life of a Terminally-ill Patient
It is licit to relieve pain by narcotics, even when the result is decreased consciousness and a shortening of life, "if no other means exist, and if, in the given circumstances, this does not prevent the carrying out of other religious and moral duties." In such a case, death is not willed or sought, even though for reasonable motives one runs the risk of it: there is simply a desire to ease pain effectively by using the analgesics which medicine provides. (Evangelium Vitae, 65)
Purpose
Discuss advance directives and end-of-life care decisions Learn the different types of advance directives Recognize advantages and disadvantages of advance directives Learn the ethical principles that guide end-of-life care and decisions, especially withholding and withdrawing therapy
End-of-life care
A general term that refers to the medical and psychosocial care given in the advanced or terminal stages of illness.
Advance Directives
Ideally, the process of discussing and writing advance directives should be ongoing, rather than a single event. Advance directives can be modified as a patient's situation changes. Even after advance directives have been signed, patients can change their minds at any time.
DISEASE
Taking away the proportionate means of preserving life, such as ordinary feeding, hydration, DEATH and normal medical care
Living Will
However, no "living will" is risk-free and even refusing to sign a "living will" is no guarantee that the "right to die" will not be exercised for the patient despite his/her wishes. The best defense now is to have a loving relative or friend who is informed about ethical options and who can legally speak for the patient if he/she cannot because of illness or injury. It is also crucial that the patient chooses a doctor without a "right to die" bias, preferably one with a good understanding of Catholic ethical principles and Natural Moral Law.
Adapted from Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care Trainer's Guide, Module 11, withholding, withdrawing therapy. In: Emanuel LL, von Gunten C J, Ferris FD. Education for physicians on end-of-life care/Institute for Ethics at the American Medical Association. Chicago, IL: EPEC Project, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1999.
aimed at maintaining organ function that only prolong death may be withdrawn or withheld