End of Life & Euthanasia Issues

In the Catholic tradition, human life is to be protected from conception to natural death. The sanctity of life underpins the Catholic understanding of human existence. As Catholics, we believe that our lives come from God our Creator, belong to God and are destined to return to God. We are merely stewards of our lives.

The basic premises1 of the Catholic Church on voluntary assisted dying (euthanasia) are that:

• (i) all persons are of equal worth or dignity
• (ii) every person has a right to life, understood as a right not to be unjustly killed
• (iii) there is no such thing as a person who has a life not worth living (or that they would be better off dead)
• (iv) there is no requirement according to medical ethics, law, or Christian tradition, that the maximal prolongation of life be the principal goal of all medical treatment
• (v) prima facie a man or woman of full age and sound understanding may choose to reject medical advice and medical or surgical treatment either partially or in its entirety, even if a refusal may risk permanent injury or even lead to premature death
• (vi) no person or section of the community ought ever be absolved from the legal responsibilities for their actions.  

This is based on our belief that all individuals are created in God’s image and worthy of being valued and feeling valued by our society, regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves.  Our leaders and laws should affirm this basic human worth. ​