End-of-Life Ethics
Can Catholics be cremated? What does the Catholic Church teach about cremated remains, Catholic funerals, and burial? In this final episode of our End-of-Life Care series, Fr. Shenan Boquet answers the most common post-death questions Catholics ask: Can Catholics choose cremation? What must be done with cremated remains? Can a non-Catholic have a Catholic funeral…
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What are the Last Rites — and when should you call a priest before a loved one dies? In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet walks through Catholic spiritual care at the end of life: the Anointing of the Sick, Confession, Viaticum, the Apostolic Pardon, and the Last Rites. Fr. Boquet answers the questions Catholic families…
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Should Catholics sign a do not resuscitate order, a living will, or an advance directive? Who should hold durable power of attorney? And how do you evaluate hospice care so your loved one isn’t denied food, water, or the sacraments? In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses preparing for end-of-life decisions before a medical crisis…
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What does the Catholic Church teach about stopping medical treatment at the end of life? When is it morally permissible to withdraw a ventilator or pacemaker? And how can Catholics distinguish legitimate end-of-life care from intentionally hastening death? In this third episode of our special series on Catholic end-of-life ethics, Fr. Shenan Boquet answers real…
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Can Catholics use morphine for pain relief at the end of life? Fr. Shenan Boquet explains the Church’s teaching on pain management, palliative care, and hospice — rooted in Catholic bioethics and the principle of double effect. This is Episode 2 in our End-of-Life Ethics series. Fr. Boquet answers real listener questions about morphine, opioids,…
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Many faithful Catholics will eventually face end-of-life decisions, whether for a parent, a spouse, or themselves. Before we get into specific questions like feeding tubes, ventilators, and advance directives in future episodes, this conversation lays the foundation: what principles actually guide Catholic end-of-life care? Human Life International President Fr. Shenan Boquet walks through the Church’s…
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