Euthanasia & End of Life Issues| Euthanasia & End of Life Issues |
Concern for the dignity of each person - especially the most vulnerable members of society - is the foundation of our opposition to the legalization of euthanasia and/or assisted suicide.
There is a substantive moral difference between foregoing treatment (thereby allowing one to die naturally from an underlying pathology),and an action which of itself or by intention causes death, in order that suffering may in this way be eliminated.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio is committed to promote care and compassion in the face of pain and suffering, increased use of ethical principles including advance directives for health care decisions regarding medical treatment, and ongoing education and dialogue.
The Catholic Conference has developed a resource guide, Living With Hope, to aid those who face caring for people nearing the end of life.
Ohio Legislation
A substitute version of MOLST- Medical Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment- legislation, HB 241 (Garland) is undergoing final review by interested parties. It is hoped that this substitute version will be available before the end of November 2009. Representatives from the Catholic Conference of Ohio's Health Affairs Department are active participants in negotiations and consensus building.
Links
U.S. Catholic Bishops Office of Pro Life Activities
National Catholic Bioethics Center
Church Statements & Articles:
Bishops clarify ethical directive on artificial nutrition, hydration. December 1, 2009
Catholic Health Association's Comment Regarding Revision to Directive 58 of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. November 18, 2009
5th Edition, Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, November 17, 2009
Human Dignity & End of Life. Article by Cardinal Rigali & Bishop Lori, America, 8/4/2008
Congregation For the Doctrine of the Faith's Response to U.S. Bishops Questions Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration, August, 2007
Address of Pope John Paul II: To Participants in the International Congress on Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas, March 2004
Hopes & Fears: Pastoral Reflections on Death – March, 1993
Death & Life Issues & Ohio Law on Advance Directives – September, 1992
U.S. Bishops Statement on the Terri Schiavo Case
Catholic Health Association Statement regarding Ethical Implications of the Terri Schiavo Case
Resources:
5th Edition, Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, November 17, 2009
Religious & Ethical Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Fourth Edition
Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Donor Registry Forms
National Catholic Bioethics Center End of Life Resources (costs involved)
Pain and Suffering, Care and Compassion
Making Difficult Medical Decisions
Advanced Directives: The Need for Communication
Q & A Regarding Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Living With Hope...Confronting Our Fears - resource pages
A complete series on the Catholic perspective on Death and Dying