“The Catholic Church is firmly against desiring or intending to kill any patient,” writes Dick Sparks, C.S.P. “But that is not the same thing as a mandate to keep every “body” alive.” Scriptures and the Church agree that discontinuing a treatment or forgoing a surgery are perfectly reasonable options. And in this CareNote, Sparks provides discussion points for Catholic patients and loved ones to consider as they begin making end-of-life decisions.

By Dick Sparks, C.S.P.