Should Catholic Church Support The Medically Controversial Issue Of Euthanasia

Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, is morally and ethically controversial in relation to the Catholic Church. While euthanasia can be used to end the pain of terminally ill patients, it also causes premature death, in which case is immoral according to religion. The term ‘terminally ill’ refers to those that have no expected recovery from their decrepit state. Though people may be suffering intense and prolonged pain, and are in favour of this medical procedure, the question that remains is, ‘Should the Catholic Church support the medically controversial issue of Euthanasia?’ With strong arguments exploring for and against euthanasia, it is legally and socially tough to distinguish between the two.

The practise of euthanasia, while seemingly

While other alternative treatments exist, society continues to protest that euthanasia should not be a practise used in Australia, let alone any other country. In the condensed version of the Evangelium Vitae, Gospel of Life, it is stated that “whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or wilful self-destruction” “are infamies indeed”(Pbsorg,2016), which was issued in March 1995 by the Pope, strongly reaffirming the opposition of Catholicism to euthanasia. It is specifically stated in the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)” that “every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life”(Humanrightsgovau,2016), which confirms the practise to be immoral as the process involves ending a life, which every person is entitled to. Though it may seem ethical at times to end a person’s suffering, this is in fact against the Catholic teachings. Number 2277 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable”(Vaticanva, 2016), as well as undermining the fundamental basis of law. It is also put forth by a leading medical devotee, Professor Richard Hare in regards

Looking at this issue from the patient’s perspective, it is immensely unethical not to allow the individual to end their pain. On the other hand, “we are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls” (Vaticanva,2016) as without this fundamental belief, life’s worth would be altered drastically, which could influence an incline in suicides and murders. I remain torn between the two arguments of for and against as on one hand I can see how euthanasia is completely unethical, as it can be regarded as murder, going against the law and religion, though it can be moral to end an individual’s pain in order to save them from discomfort further down the track. Prior to this study, I was completely in favour of euthanasia as I do believe that people should have the choice to end their pain and suffering, though, upon further research I can see both sides of this controversial issue, the religious perspective of this and the ethical impacts it can have on