Roman Catholic Doctrine Guiding End-of-Life Care: A Summary of the Recent Discourse

Abstract

Recent statements emanating from high-level church authorities have reignited discussion over the traditional Roman Catholic doctrine guiding end-of-life care. Although these statements concerned the specific issue of artificial nutrition and hydration for patients in a persistent vegetative state, they contain principles that might be applied to other life-prolonging interventions. This paper examines the origins of the Catholic moral tradition that guides end-of-life care. Included is a discussion of the “ordinary–extraordinary” distinction, as well as the Catholic definition of “euthanasia by omission.” Further discussion focuses on those recent statements that have reaffirmed the Church's teaching regarding life-sustaining interventions. Although a source of some consternation, these statements should spark healthy discussion within Catholic health care facilities and among patients seeking advice about advance care planning within a Catholic framework. Moreover, the statements rightly reaffirm the Church's unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate palliative care.