ipl-logo

Should Catholic Church Support The Medically Controversial Issue Of Euthanasia

1098 Words5 Pages

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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

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

Show More
Related
1861 Words | 8 Pages

Physician-assisted suicide, or euthanasia, is defined as “the act or practice of causing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.” The controversy over euthanasia pits courts, medical professionals, and the ill against questions of reason, laws, and

Read More
636 Words | 3 Pages

The Christian Church’s view of euthanasia is that life is sacred, and therefore it is up to God to decide when to give or take it. They regard life as God’s creation, and so an individual does not have the right to decide when or where to take it. There are more than 60 passages in the bible, with the most famous one being “Thou shalt not

Read More
687 Words | 3 Pages

One of the more pressing social/medical issues of recent times has been euthanasia, also known as physician-assisted suicide, or the right to die. Proponents of human euthanasia propose that those with a terminal illness should have the right to a clean and painless death with the assistance of a physician, rather than the drawn-out and painful natural death that some will otherwise experience. Being one who was raised in a Christian family, I am morally opposed to suicide in all forms, and I strongly believe a human life is sacred enough that a physician should not be granted the permission or power to take it. Many oppose this act for various reasons: religious in nature, moral grounds, or by medical tradition. Some argue that euthanasia does in fact contradict a professional code of ethics.

Read More
521 Words | 3 Pages

Euthanasia is the deliberate killing under the impulse of compassion in order to relieve the physical pain of a person suffering (Diaconescu 2012, p.474). According to Thiroux and Krasemann, (2012) Euthanasia has existed in human history from ancient’s times, although within twentieth century it is now being considered, as a type of “mercy killing”, in which is a form of murder within most countries of the world. Healey (1997) stated “euthanasia always involves an intention to kill” ethical debates on the topic continue to be an ongoing issue, this essay will distinguish the unethical notions of euthanasia by considering and implementing the theoretical concepts of the divine command theory and Rule utilitarianism theory. Divine Command Theory emphasises on the rules for determining one’s actions and motives, Christianity for example, the command of ‘thou shalt not kill’ reflects on the sanctity of life, therefore

Read More
1352 Words | 6 Pages

Therefore “intentionally causing one’s own death, or suicide, is therefore equally wrong as murder” (Engebreston, Duncan, Elliott, Rule & Rymarz, 2014, p.167). This quote shows that the Catholic Church is strongly against euthanasia and its unethical ideas. Clearly the Catholic morals extinguish all forms of euthanasia as dying is “spiritually important and should not be disturbed” (‘Euthanasia and assisted dying’, 2009). This outlines that death should come naturally as the Holy Spirit lives in every individual. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2279 that “even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted” (Euthanasia and Assited Suicide Catechism, 2018).

Read More
1356 Words | 6 Pages

Euthanasia For Terminally Ill Patients: Is It Ethical? Everything that is once living ultimately dies. Every human being that is born, will someday cease to exist. Some people die of old age, some die of illness, some die at the hands of others, some die at the hands of themselves, and some die because of a combination of those reasons.

Read More
1727 Words | 7 Pages

Controversy The controversy addressed in this paper is the debate surrounding the legality Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, predominantly in Canada. A sensitive and conflictual topic for many, the debate on euthanasia has been ever growing since it is conflictual with the preservation of human life and its effect on many individuals surrounding the procedure. Description Euthanasia, sometimes referred to as active euthanasia, is the ending of another person’s life in order to relieve suffering and at the request of the patient, is carried out by a physician through the use of lethal injection (Boudreau & Somerville, 2014).

Read More
1004 Words | 5 Pages

At the end of the day, Catholics must be opposed to euthanasia, but don't be so stubborn to save a life that you cause that person unnecessary suffering and pain while doing so. Life is something to be cherished, and in the catechism of the Catholic Church, this view is upheld throughout. In section 2277, the catechism says “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”. It succinctly states how Catholics are called to be against direct euthanasia at all times.

Read More
1723 Words | 7 Pages

The Euthanasia Debate There is nothing more sacred than life and there is nothing more natural in life to wish to cling on to it for those you love! And nothing more cruel than to play God by artificially holding onto that which God wants to bring home. – Author Unknown. The topic of euthanasia is uncomfortable as it forces us to confront our own fears of dying. Society looks towards our legal system to help make decisions regarding euthanasia.

Read More
523 Words | 3 Pages

“Euthanasia” is an excellent and comforting word! I am grateful to whoever invented it” (Bram Stoker, Dracula). Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing or assisted suicide, is morally acceptable. Euthanasia is the intentional, painless practice of killing a patient suffering from an incurable and arduous disease or irreversible coma. People should support propriety because those who are suffering or anyone in sound mind should have the right to die and have the right to die peacefully without being deemed unstable as they commit suicide to end their own suffering, instead of using the better option, euthanasia.

Read More
1184 Words | 5 Pages

Keeping euthanasia outlawed regulates religion, aids morality, and supports physicians’ ethics. Euthanasia is killing a patient painlessly for medical reasons, even sometimes given without a request from the patient, such as being in a coma. Euthanasia goes against peoples’ one right to life. Some think it is ok because it supposedly helps the patient, but is it realistically helping? There should be so many other options for patients to choose from, instead of thinking death is respectable choice.

Read More
1731 Words | 7 Pages

THE EUTHANASIA CONTROVERSY Summary Euthanasia has constantly been a heated debate amongst commentators, such as the likes of legal academics, medical practitioners and legislators for many years. Hence, the task of this essay is to discuss the different faces minted on both sides of the coin – should physicians and/or loved ones have the right to participate in active euthanasia? In order to do so, the essay will need to explore the arguments for and against legalizing euthanasia, specifically active euthanasia and subsequently provide a stand on whether or not it should be an accepted practice.

Read More
1234 Words | 5 Pages

A controversial practice that invokes a debate over how beneficial its intentions are is the use of euthanasia. The argument switches between whether or not putting terminally ill patients to death with the assistance of a physician is justifiable and right. Legalizing the practice of euthanasia is a significant topic among many people in society, including doctors and nurses in the medical field, as it forces people to decide where to draw the line between relieving pain and simply killing. While some people see euthanasia as a way to helping a patient by eliminating their pain, it is completely rejected by others who see it as a method of killing.

Read More
869 Words | 4 Pages

Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, is the act of permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured patients. This is never suggested by the caretaker rather than requested by the patient or their family. Few areas such as the Netherlands have already legalized this practice. This debate, as split as a fork in the road, is over whether or not this approach should be legalized worldwide on stances regarding religion, ethics, and self choice.     I see this as being extremely unethical on both religious and social morality levels.

Read More
1016 Words | 5 Pages

INTRODUCTION Euthanasia alludes to the act of deliberately close a life keeping in mind the end goal to assuage torment and enduring. There are different euthanasia laws in each country. The British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics defines euthanasia as "a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering".[1] In the Netherlands, euthanasia is understood as "termination of life by a doctor at the request of a patient"". Euthanasia is sorted in diverse ways, which incorporate voluntary, non-voluntary, or automatic.

Read More

More about Should Catholic Church Support The Medically Controversial Issue Of Euthanasia

Related Topics

Open Document