Making End-of-Life-Decisions
I know I may be nearing the end of my life. How can I prepare to meet God? The Catholic Church teaches that a “good death” is not about avoiding suffering or controlling every circumstance. It is about living in God’s grace, being at peace with others, and trusting in His mercy. When possible, it…
“Evil committed for a good cause remains evil.” “Even when it succeeds?” “Above all when it succeeds.” ~Victor Hugo, History of a Crime (1877)1 An advance medical directive (AMD) is a legal document that allows a person to specify the medical treatment he wants and does not want in case he becomes incapable of making his…
Do-not-resuscitate orders (DNRs) can be ethically permissible. However, certain criteria, as described below, must be considered in determining whether a DNR can be ethically implemented. (Have questions about end-of-life care? Download HLI’s free e-book, End-of-Life Decisions: A Catholic Guide for Patients and Families, for clear, faithful answers rooted in Catholic teaching). What’s a Do Not Resuscitate Order?…
Caleb Beaver died when he was 16 years old on Christmas Day 2011. His death was caused by a congenital malformation in his circulatory system that was never diagnosed. His parents were devastated. They decided to donate his heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, and pancreas. Several months later, Caleb’s parents met the person who had received…
When preparing our own advance medical directives, or when assisting others to do so, it is critically important for us to know precisely where ordinary means of treatment end and extraordinary means begin. (Have questions about end-of-life care? Download HLI’s free e-book, End-of-Life Decisions: A Catholic Guide for Patients and Families, for clear, faithful answers…
As we or our loved ones get older and begin to consider advance medical directives, we should also think about the question of pain and how we intend to deal with it. Those who diligently practice their Catholic faith commonly ask three questions regarding the ethics of pain management drugs near the end of life:…
