Abstract
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are increasingly seen as appropriate medical responses to the unbearable suffering of the terminally ill. These treatments have been strongly condemned by the Roman Catholic Church, most notably by John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae. This condemnation, however, does not negate the challenge of the suffering of the terminally ill. This leaves the question unanswered: what treatment to alleviate the suffering of such patients can count on the Church’s approval? Palliative sedation has emerged as one possibility. An extensive literature study was undertaken to determine the position of the Roman Catholic Church on palliative sedation. An in-depth analysis of the results (based on the principles of grounded theory) provided an insight into the arguments supporting this position. A general conclusion is that the Church considers palliative sedation to be a morally legitimate way to alleviate the suffering of the terminally ill. However, this approval does not come without its reservations. Church officials stress that palliative sedation should always be part of a holistic approach, with due attention to the spiritual dimension of medical care and that of suffering. This way, the Church’s response to the question of how best to deal with the unbearable suffering of the terminally ill broadens the debate on and in medical practice at the end of life.
Presenters
Jonathan LambaertsPhD Student, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
BIOETHICS, MEDICAL ETHICS, PALLIATIVE SEDATION, SUFFERING, MORAL THEOLOGY
