Euthanasia

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What

and Why is Euthanasia an Ethical Issue:

Euthanasia

is a complex ethical issue because it is counter intuitive to our

belief of “The Fullness of life”

Is

it right or wrong to assist

a critically ill person who is suffering or in pain to die?

Netherlands,

Belgium and Luxembourg are

only countries that allow it

Can

we justify assisted suicide if it helps avoid pain and suffering

Society

sees killing as wrong however is it right to deny their final wishes

to end the suffering

What

is the Vision of the Catholic Church:

The

vision of the Roman Catholic Tradition is critical in the arguments

against euthanasia.

Catholics

believe life is a gift from God and that death is part of a natural

process created by God so it should be respected.

Whilst

the gift of life is ours it is not ours to control.

Catholics

also believe that the process of dying is spiritually important and

should not be disrupted as this would interrupt the process of

spirit moving to God.

Patients

who are terminally ill remain living human beings and therefore it

is wrong to treat there lives as worthless.

The

catholic church is highly reserved in its concern for others yet

will not terminate the loving Gods creation.

What

is the Position of the Catholic Church:

The

position of the Roman Catholic Tradition has dominated societies

view on Euthanasia.

The

unwavering stance of objection to euthanasia has left people with

some understanding as to how each and every human life is blessed.

The

Roman Catholic Tradition cannot justify the loss of a sacred life

for relief of pain.

The

churches main opposition in the euthanasia debate comes from people

who have witnessed a loved one pass in extreme pain.

Societies

view has been transformed to align with the Roman Catholic Tradition

over time as the acceptance of life’s ultimate value is

prioritised over the ending of pain and suffering.

How

has the Catholic Church contributed to public discussion:

The

Roman Catholic Traditions contribution to public discussion can be

drawn directly through the Vatican encyclical Evangellium Vitae

(Gospel of Life)

It

expresses the opinion of the Roman Catholic Tradition regarding the

value and inviolability of human life.

These

contributions have a profound affect in educating its adherents on

the sacredness of human life and helps raise arguments against

euthanasia

The

Roman Catholic Tradition regards the dignity of the human person and

the value of human life too highly for it to accept euthanasia as an

acceptable pathway to death.

It

is Gods love of each and every person who gives us this dignity.

What

is the case for euthanasia:

Will

clear up hospital space

Will

lighten burden on families

Will

free up money

Allows

for the end of pain and suffering

What

does society think:

Euthanasia

weakens society's respect for the sanctity of life

Accepting

euthanasia accepts that some lives (those of the disabled or sick)

are worth less than others

Voluntary

euthanasia is the start of a slippery slope that leads to

involuntary euthanasia and the killing of people who are thought

undesirable

Euthanasia

might not be in a person's best interests

Euthanasia

affects other people's rights, not just those of the patient

How

has the Churches response affected discussion:

The

response of the Roman Catholic Church has effectively cemented the

modern perspective on euthanasia

It

is accepted by most people that assisted suicide is not morally

right or justified even though it is of potential benefit to end the

suffering and pain of others.

Every

human being is entitled to live and to die, but in the way that God

intends.

If

the Roman Catholic Tradition had openly accepted euthanasia then

there would have been dire consequences as foundations beliefs would

be brought under severe critique.

The

Roman Catholic Tradition's directives on Euthanasia make it clear

that human life is never worthless and it is always of the utmost

importance to preserve and protect it.

Was

the Response of the Roman Catholic Tradition Effective:

The

response of the Roman Catholic Tradition has been extremely

effective

The

traditions doctrines surrounding Euthanasia have given a clear cut

perspective that cannot be disputed in any way or form.

This

has set a method by which it's strong belief that killing people in

anyway is a grave sin and that it can never be justified.

This

is included so that whilst people may not end a life, they can very

much bring and end to prolonging it.

The

Roman Catholic Traditions firm stance on the dignity of the human

person and the value of human life falls into line with other

ethical teachings they have made.

Key

Quotes:

“An

action or an omission which of itself or by intention causes death,

in order that all suffering may in this way be eliminated.” (Jura

Et Bona)

"Euthanasia

and wilful suicide" are "offences against life itself"

(Second Vatican Council)

“As

Catholic leaders and moral teachers, we believe that life is the most

basic gift of a loving God, a gift over which we have stewardship but

not absolute dominion” (Second Vatican Council)

“Human

life possesses an intrinsic dignity and value” (Evangellium Vitae)

“Euthanasia

is a grave violation of the law of God” (Evangellium Vitae)

“Prevailing

tendency is to value life only to the extent that it brings pleasure

and well-being, suffering seems like an unbearable setback, something

from which one must be freed at all costs.” (Evangellium Vitae)

True

compassion leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the

person whose suffering we cannot bear” (Evangellium Vitae)

“Nothing

or no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human

person” (Evangellium Vitae)

“Those

whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick

or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as

possible” (Evangellium Vitae)

“it

is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life”

(Evangellium Vitae)

“Thou

must not kill” (10 Commandments)

“Discontinuing

medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or

disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the

refusal of ‘over-zealous’ treatment. Here one does not will to

cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted.”

(Evangellium Vitae)

Euthanasia