As the late Pope John Paul II once said, the intrinsic value and
personal dignity of every human being do not change, no matter what
the concrete circumstances of his or her life. A man, even if
seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions,
is and always will be a man, and he will never become a vegetable
or an animal.
Although euthanasia has been legalised in the Netherlands and in
Oregon, USA, it is considered unethical, not just by the Catholic
Church, but by most doctors. A plea for euthanasia is frequently a
cry for help and requests for euthanasia can change through the
course of a persons illness. Requests for euthanasia are rare when
the patient has been given good palliative care.
Euthanasia by omission has been promoted in some places. What it
means is that basic life-sustaining treatment, such as the giving
of food and water, is denied a person, as in the case of Terri
Schiavo who died last year. Yet Pope John Paul II underlined how
the administration of water and food, even when provided by
artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving
life, not a medical act.
Its use, furthermore, should be considered, in principle, ordinary
and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, insofar as and
until it is seen to have attained its proper finality. He went on
to say, The evaluation of probabilities
. cannot ethically justify
the cessation or interruption of minimal care for the patient,
including nutrition and hydration.
When a cure is no longer possible, what is there left to do? Do we
give up and end a life so that we need no longer face the agony of
death? Or do we continue to live generously, accepting what is
given and giving what is needed, so that we can share the final leg
of this journey? The stance of the Catholic Church is one of
generosity and acceptance, of continuing to care even when times
are difficult. By living these days meaningfully, we can die the
good death.
(Dr Ian Leong is a consultant physician at the Department of
Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and a member of the
Catholic Medical Guild. He will also be one of the speakers at an
upcoming public seminar on Euthanasia killing or caring?, where
a moral theologian, a lawyer and other Catholic doctors will be on
hand to tackle various associated issues. This seminar will be held
on May 27 at the Catholic Junior College. Please email Theresa at
[email protected] or call her at 6488 0277 to register for the
seminar.)
