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brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 746 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 04:19 am |
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Maybe these word differently in different states, but I was asked by two people to be sort of the one (or the back up to make end of life decisions based on this form they fill out and ask me to agree to folow through with their wishes as to when they would like to be kept alive or not.
I told them as a CAtohlci this would be har, since I did not know when a case would be considered lost enough that it would be ok to not allow for them to be kept alive.
I think it follows that if they are not abel to enjoy any quality of life or are braindead it is indeed ok to let them go...
Anyway, I was wondering if the form is universla or different form state to state, and if people know wha I am talking about, which choices are acceptable for a Catholic to fill out. I wanted to know because I will not agree to do it if the person picked an option where they would not be kept alive when a Catohlic might still fight to keep someone alive.
Brian
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 11:45 am |
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The big difference, Brian, is that it is OK to let them go, but never to help them go.
Things like respirators, CPR, etc., need not be used if someone will not recover, but basic necessities of life (food, water, heat, clothing, etc.) should always be provided unless death is proximate from other causes. A person dying from kidney failure, for example, can be harmed by additional fluids.
Pain relief should always be provided as needed, even if there is a slight possibility it might hasten the moment of death a little, but never in sufficient quantity to intentionally cause death. Other palliative measures are also acceptable.
There are many documents issued by the Church on end of life care. For example, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has issued a pamphlet called Difficult Decisions. A quick Catholic search at Google brought thousands of hits.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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