Callie Plesco

Mrs. Leap

SLA 150 04 Faith, Religion, and Society

December 7, 2018

Catholic Social Teachings Against Euthanasia 

Imagine a close family member gets diagnosed with cancer, or a different terminal

illness, and is only given a few months to live. Now imagine that these few months are only

going to be filled with suffering and pain. The doctors are trying to help with your family

member’s pain, but no matter what they prescribe, an enormous amount of discomfort is still

present. Basically, you and your family are told to just play the waiting game. This game consists

of heartache and medical bills that just keep piling up. This game affects many, as 42% of

Americans have had a close friend or relative suffer from a terminal illness (“Facts.”). That is

roughly 137 million people. Millions of families and patients are presented with a choice. The

choice to refuse any further medical treatment, an omission (“Euthanasia Terms and

Definitions”). In some states, people even have the choice to legally commit suicide through the

direct help of a physician, via a prescription or even a lethal injection.

The debate here is both moral and legal. There is a reason why euthanasia and physician

assisted suicide is not legal nationally. This is because it has been debated since 1938. The root

of the debate, though, has been over the Hippocratic Oath, which dates back to the 4th century

(“Euthanasia History”). In the oath it states many ways that the doctor swears to treat a patient as

best that they can. In the oath it states: “But it may also be within my power to take a life; this

awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty.
Above all, I must not play at God.” ("Medical Definition of Hippocratic Oath.") Most doctors do

swear to an oath, but usually not the original Hippocratic Oath, because then if they carried out

an assistance in suicide, they would be hypocrites. The debate is between people with many

different views and is over whether euthanasia is suicide, assisted suicide, or murder.  

Morally and religiously, people view this as very wrong. For example euthanasia or

physician assisted suicide goes directly against the catholic social teaching of human rights, and

the dignity of every person. This states that everyone was made in God's image and every human

life is valued. Some countries do not follow this notion. For example, in the Netherlands, “... for

decades, [they have] seen euthanasia as an appropriate way to deal with patients whose lives are

deemed no longer worth living” (Camosey, Charles). Who are they for saying that someone

else’s life is not worth it? It is not a choice for another person. God says that ever single life is

valued and is worth living. In chapter five of Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action,

it states that, “... from the moment of conception through the vulnerable years of childhood and

old age to the very moment of natural death-- we deserve the care and attention that belong to

beings of inestimable worth” (Massaro 116). The laws in the Netherlands are completely

contradictory to this teaching. They are making it legal, and easily accessible, to take one's life

before their natural death. In doing this, humanity is going directly against what Jesus says, "I

came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10, Evangelium Vitae). Taking a

life before someone's natural death is going against what Jesus himself died for. Jesus meant that

all life is valuable, not just those who are the strongest and in the best condition. Everyone

should be treated equally, no matter their race, gender, or how sick they are. It should not matter

how sick a patient is, they deserve the medical treatment that will keep them alive, just as

everyone else does. No one's life is deemed not worth living in the eyes of God. Euthanasia is
always wrong but accepting one’s fate may not be. Pope Francis recently spoke about this topic.

He said, “here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted” ( 

). This means that refusing some medical care, does not go against God. A patient does not have

to use every single possible treatment. Accepting that death is inevitable does not go against the

word of God and it is vastly different than euthanasia. Euthanasia is more taking one's own life

than being comfortable with death. All together, Catholics can argue that no one should have the

right to take a life, or to play God, but allowing death to come in the future, is not wrong.

The Catholic social teaching, option for the poor and vulnerable, pertains to the church’s

attempt to support those who need it most. Helping those who are less fortunate has been a

foundation of the church from the start. Catholic social teachings point out that, “The church is

most clearly itself when it is acting on the imperative to meet the urgent needs of the most

vulnerable-- the ones who Jesus Christ so loves” (Massaro 159). In states where euthanasia is

legal, most patients request the applications because they do not want to lose their dignity.

Usually, it is not because the pain is unbearable, but it is due to the emotional aspects that come

with the disease in which they are suffering. The patient fears being a nuisance to family

members, more than fearing the pain, which will accompany their disease in the future. Patients

do not want to hold up their families members lives. They do not want to be a pause, keeping

them from their futures. A way in which family members, or members of the church could help

is to, “assure them that they have dignity and it is a privilege, not a burden, to care for them as

long as they live" (ProCon.org.). It would be an amazing thing for volunteers to go into hospitals

and reassure or give hope to those patients considering physician assisted suicide, who do not

have family. Patients need reassurance and an ample amount of support in this time of need. Just

to sit with someone and tell them that life is worth it and they still possess dignity, could change
their mind. Families should move towards palliative care. This type of healthcare is going

directly against euthanasia as it, “... asks the medical team, the patient and the family to work

together to alleviate suffering, whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual” (Wooden, Cindy).

Using this method instead would allow for the most comfortable and content way of passing.

Palliative care is making the most vulnerable, not so helpless anymore. It is a reflection of God’s

work. The care routine is not only making the patients pain comfortable, but also making sure

that emotionally they are the best they can be. Using palliative care could give people hope, and

decrease the deaths due to euthanasia.

Lastly, euthanasia is currently dealt with at the state level rather than the federal level.

Interestingly, though, “Physician-assisted suicide is legal in seven US states and the District of

Columbia” ("Physician-Assisted Suicide Facts."). To some people it is perplexing that if only

seven states in the US rule in favor of physician-assisted suicide, why doesn't the federal

government rule against it? That means that there are forty three states that are against it. In the

Catholic social teaching, subsidiarity and the proper role of government, there is a discussion

pertaining to how the government should let some issues be ruled as state, and other issues as

federal. It is a debate on whether a law would help a local group, or it would help the entire

country. Sometimes, like in the case of legalizing euthanasia, the federal government could help.

It is stated that, “... we must remember that national governments are not to be portrayed as our

enemies but, rather, as the very instruments by which we join our goals that could not be

addressed on local levels” (Massaro 131). People need to realize the power they have, and

advocate to the federal government. The only way to jump start change is to speak up. Many,

including the Catholic church, would argue that this issue should be dealt with on the federal

level. There is a noticeable split pertaining to the large difference in states that allow physician-
assisted suicide. Sometimes there is even a split within the states that do rule in favor of it. In

Oregon, during the, “... general election in November 1994 when it passed by a margin of 51% to

49%” (“Frequently Asked Questions.”). The votes here are so close that it is concerning. Even in

the states where euthanasia is legal, it is not widely supported. They only pass by a margin.

Another example of absurd euthanasia laws can be viewed in The Children Act 1989, put into

effect by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is broken up into four countries: England,

Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. A famous case from this area is the case of Alfie Evans.

Alfie was a toddler who had a rare degenerative neurological condition. He was placed on life

support and his parents had to fight to keep him alive. The doctors wanted to take him off of life

support, arguing that the parents choice was not in his best interest. When Alfie’s parents heard

of the doctor’s intentions, they wanted to take him to Italy for medical treatment. The doctors

then got the court to place a travel ban on his family. Even through raised awareness and the

court case, the court ruled to stop his ventilation. Young Alfie Evans died on April 28th (   ).

This is yet another example of the misuse of government. Here, the United Kingdom give the

ability of euthanizing children to all the states involved. A law passed in 1989 should have be

scrapped by now due to how inhumane it is. Euthanasia laws should be determined at higher

levels of government, but they must be against, not for, euthanasia. In general, based on this

social teaching, Catholics believe that the legalization of euthanasia should be determined not in

favor, at the federal level rather than the state level, as it would benefit everyone as a large

group.

Euthanasia can be placed at two places on the Triangle of Justice. Once place it can be

positioned at is social contributive justice. Individuals all over are preaching their case for why

euthanasia should be illegal everywhere. These individuals can be religious or nonreligious.

contributive justice because there are groups that are raising awareness for their cause. They are

creating websites and protesting. They are doing this to try and get the attention of other

individual and the government or politicians. There are foundations like HOPE: Preventing

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. On this website there are places to educate the public and

options to take action. The organization is built on the fact they will, “support measure that will

make euthanasia and physician assisted suicide unthinkable” (HOPE). Groups of individuals like

this, are the only way to raise awareness and call for action. Politicians part of the common good

have the authority to call attention to the government. The other part of the Triangle of Justice,

where the subject of euthanasia, can be placed, is distributive justice. This would be when a

politician hears what the individuals are protesting, and then taking what they want and

supplying change. The common good, politicians, are protecting the individuals by listening to

their protests. 

Euthanasia as a whole should not be legal because it is not in the constitution and it is not

moral. Everyone has a right to life and no one's life should be taken before it is there time.

Euthanasia is going directly against God’s teachings. Those who are considering physician-

assisted suicide should be more of a priority in society, as they are going through emotional

trauma as well as fighting terminal illnesses. These patients need to be supported and reassured

by their family members and the community. Suicide is not the answer. Physician-assisted

suicide would be shifting pain on to the family. Normal suicide causes families emotional

trauma, just as physician-assisted suicide does. Instead, doctors and family members should be

offering palliative care to families. This way they can make sure the patients are getting the love

and support that they need. It does not matter if it is legal in some states or not, it affects
 everyone involved. Euthanasia should not be legal to get rid of those burdening society, but

patients suffering should be supported and made comfortable as their life is ending. 

Works Cited

"Alfie Evans: Legal battle toddler dies." BBC News, BBC, 28 Apr. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/uk-

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Camosey, Charles. "Better Dead than Disabled." Commonweal, Commonweal Magazine, 6 Sept. 2018,

www.commonwealmagazine.org/better-dead-disabled. Accessed 30 Nov. 2018.

"Euthanasia History." ALL American Life League, American Life League, Inc.,

www.all.org/learn/euthanasia/historic-review/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

"Euthanasia Terms and Definitions." ALL American Life League, American Life League, Inc.,

www.all.org/learn/euthanasia/definitions/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

"EVANGELIUM VITAE." The Holy See, w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-

ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html. Accessed 30 Nov.

2018.

"Facts." NHDD, Conversation Project, www.nhdd.org/facts/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

"Frequently Asked Questions." Oregon.gov,

www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/providerpartnerresources/evaluationresearch/deathwithdignityact/pages

/faqs.aspx. Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

"Home." HOPE Preventing Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide, www.noeuthanasia.org.au/.

Accessed 30 Nov. 2018.

Massaro, Thomas. Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Franklin, Wis: Sheed & Ward,

2000. Print.
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www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20909. Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

O'Connell, Gerard. "Pope Francis: No to euthanasia, but we should not obstinately resist death."

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Aug. 2018, www.cnn.com/2014/11/26/us/physician-assisted-suicide-fast-facts/index.html.

Accessed 26 Nov. 2018.

ProCon.org. "Top 10 Pro & Con Arguments." ProCon.org. 9 Oct. 2018,

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Wooden, Cindy. "Palliative Care Is a Pro-Life Response to Euthanasia, Panelists Say." America

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2018.