A Sacred Trust: Church Teaching on Euthanasia
As we continue to celebrate Respect Life Month, we turn our attention to the end of life to discuss the practice of euthanasia touches on life, death, and human dignity. In the secular sphere, "euthanasia" (literally “good death”) refers to a doctor intentionally ending a patient's life by lethal injection (active euthanasia) or prescribing lethal drugs for the patient to self-administer (often called physician-assisted suicide). These acts are presented as a means to relieve suffering and a way for the individual to maintain their “dignity” at the end. In Canada to our north, both active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (both called MAID-“Medical Assistance in Dying”) are legal and about 5% of adult deaths were brought about in this manner last year. Physician-assisted suicide is legal in 11 U.S. states and Washington D.C. Its rising occurrence and threat to human life means that we must be informed about this topic and know how to respond as Catholics.
The Church’s Teaching on Life
Our Catholic faith teaches that life is a sacred gift from God and that every human being possesses inherent, inalienable dignity from conception to natural death. The Catechism states, "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" (CCC 2277). This principle stems from the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not kill," which extends to prohibiting the deliberate taking of innocent human life, including one’s own or another's life with their consent. While often proposed as a way to preserve an individual’s autonomy and dignity, the deliberate hastening of someone’s death to escape suffering violates their dignity in the most profound way.
Suffering and Compassion
The Church understands the immense suffering that can accompany terminal illness, and its response is rooted in compassion and accompanying love. We are called to imitate Christ, who embraced suffering. However, this does not mean we must prolong the dying process by all available means. Catholic teaching distinguishes between ordinary and extraordinary means of preserving life. Ordinary care (such as providing food, water, and basic comfort) is always required. Extraordinary care (medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome) may be legitimately refused. Refusing extraordinary or aggressive medical treatment when death is imminent is not euthanasia; it is an acceptance of the natural dying process and allows death to take its course.
The Gift of Palliative Care
The Church’s true response to suffering is palliative care , which is a holistic approach focused on alleviating pain and symptoms and addressing the patient’s spiritual, psychological, and social needs. It does not hasten death but rather affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Quality hospice and palliative care ensures that no one dies alone or in agony, honoring the dignity of the person until the very last moment. As Catholics at St. Stephen, we will undoubtedly need to walk with family members and friends going through immense suffering and even heading toward the end of life. By advocating for robust palliative care against euthanasia, we witness to the sacredness of life and the boundless mercy of Christ. Our hope is not in controlling the moment of death, but in the promise of eternal life that awaits us.
For a fuller teaching, please consult the recent document from the Bishops of Wisconsin: https://tinyurl.com/yrbt2mju