Suicide, euthanasia and assisted suicide are not morally acceptable; they violate the very sacredness of human life. We hold the teaching on the sacredness of life as fundamental. And we believe that our lives do not end with death, that we are called to everlasting life. Catholic teaching on ethically required medical care states that we should use all reasonable means to preserve human life and to promote the profound dignity that belongs to it. Yet we recognize that sometimes we should not use technology if it inflicts greater suffering on loved ones and holds them back from being able to go home to God.
The decision to forego extraordinary medical care must be made by the patient or the patient's proxy with a great deal of prayer and consultation with ethicists, spiritual mentors and health care professionals. In some situations, we would be obligated to use extraordinary medical care. There is no "one size fits all."
Physicians have stated that Emilio's condition is irreversible and will result in his death. There is great concern that continued extraordinary treatment will only result in greater pain for Emilio, without curing or improving his condition. Based on this information and a review of the case by ethicists, moving to a "comfort care" plan for Emilio would be morally acceptable. Emilio would still receive food, water, pain medication and other "ordinary" treatment. Some compare Emilio's situation to Terri Schiavo's. They are very different; in the Schiavo case, ordinary means — food and water — were withdrawn, which caused her death.
Aymond: Like life, death is sacred Bishop Gregory Aymond, DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
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