[Arthur McGowan]

Since we humans do not in fact receive regular reports from God about what He wants, we have to make do with applying principles based on reason and Revelation.

Your grandmother was clearly not attempting to commit suicide, and her judgment that the feeding tube was unnecessary turned out to be correct, as shown by the fact that she was able to get nourishment without it. If she had been unable to do so, she would have died of dehydration/starvation without a feeding tube. What the Catholic Church would object to in that case is the hastening of death by the denial of a basic human need, food and water.

The crux of the question is: Is the use of a feeding tube, in itself, a “heroic,” or “extreme” measure. The answer is: No. The conclusion follows that the use of a feeding tube is obligatory unless its use would do no good or will do harm.

The fact that God can, and does, do what He wants is no guide for us humans when it comes to making decisions, because He reveals nothing to us about particular situations. We have only the data of reason and the data of Revelation to enlighten us. It is undoubtedly true that God takes people when He wants. But we have no knowledge of when that is until it happens, and so, obviously, that particular datum cannot possibly figure in the decision-making process.

[nmh]

“The crux of the question is: Is the use of a feeding tube, in itself, a “heroic,” or “extreme” measure. The answer is: No. The conclusion follows that the use of a feeding tube is obligatory unless its use would do no good or will do harm.”

In my Grandmothers situation jamming a feeding tube in her would have been extreme and taking heroic efforts. At 100 years old this would not be right ... in the situation of Terri, yes a feeding tube is proper. She wasn’t winding down and no terminal illness. There was no reason to murder her. None.

“The fact that God can, and does, do what He wants is no guide for us humans when it comes to making decisions, because He reveals nothing to us about particular situations. We have only the data of reason and the data of Revelation to enlighten us. It is undoubtedly true that God takes people when He wants. But we have no knowledge of when that is until it happens, and so, obviously, that particular datum cannot possibly figure in the decision-making process.”

We are under an obligation to support life but ultimately whether we put a feeding tube in someone or not,we aren’t making the final call. We don’t know His mind so we just have to do the best we can but murder as in Terri’s situation was wrong.