End of life issues

I was talking with a certain doctor I know about my dads death in 2007. He died of lung cancer and is greatly missed. While on his death bed he received sugar water and pain medications. Unfortunately our physician, who attends our church offered us the option to decrease his food and water to nothing in order to expedite his death because his quality of life was so poor.

We were appalled. Besides the fact that we were dealing with a hard death, now we had to fight for our dying father to receive basic food and water. What a learning experience this situation was for all of us. Hospice was also pushing for us to decrease and end the food and water. It was such an interesting conflict. I could almost hear them in the hallway saying, 'How sad. Why won't this family just let him go? It is selfish.'

How far from the Truth!

As Catholics we place the utmost value of human life in all forms. From the earliest moment of conception to the last breath of the dying we know that we are made in the image and likeness of God. This alone warrants that human life be treated well. What our world has done through abortion and euthanasia is a direct offense against the beauty of our Father in Heaven. As listed below the Catechism of the Catholic Church plainly specifies that any form of euthanasia is undeniably wrong and not acceptable.

So where is the line? The line lies here.

All human beings, regardless of their state of life, deserve the following:

Food
Water
Pain control

So my doctor that I am talking to talks about the patients right to decide. Example, an elderly patient with advanced lung cancer, in his last days... if he and his family decide its okay to remove the food and water element of his care, is that acceptable? And when do we cross the line from food and water to 'pulling the plug'?

D0es the physician have a duty to the patient? And their needs and wants?

The duty is to God and then the patient. All life is to be treated respectfully. All human life is required to receive basic life sustaining treatment including food, water and pain medication.

What are your thoughts??



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Check here to read what the Vatican wrote regarding Euthanasia.

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2324 Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.

2277 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.

Thus 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 error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.