Terri's Watch: Is A Living Will Suicide?

It is a rare person who has not heard of the recent cruel homicide of the Florida woman, Terri Schiavo. Everyone, it seemed, had a strong opinion on the subject. Yet, despite clear moral teachings on the evils of euthanasia, there are 'Catholics' who boast support for euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide.

Are these 'Catholics' badly formed and ignorant of their Church's infallible teachings on the dignity and sacredness of all human life? Is it the fault of Catholic clergy for not preaching the Church's teachings from the pulpit?In view of the clarity and frequency of the Church's up-to-date teachings, which reflect modern medical advances on the subject, these Catholics dissenting opinions seem to be willful and conscious disregard of those infallible teachings.

Unfortunately, in most of these euthanasia cases, the families hotly disagree among themselves about whether 'nutrition and hydration' should be withdrawn. The family quarrel usually ends up in legal hassles and broken relationships.

A terminally ill or dying person does have the right to refuse 'extra-ordinary' care in their dying process. This is not a mortal sin. The expected process of the disease will kill them in due time, as the compassionate family, doctors and nurses keep them comfortable with 'nutrition and hydration' and pain free with the latest medical advances available.

However, it is imperative to understand that a sick, terminally ill, or dying person does not have the right to kill him or herself. Withholding or refusing dinary means' or 'palliative care,' such as 'nutrition and hydration,' would be murder or suicide, and a grave mortal sin, except in rare circumstances; e.g., kidney or stomach cancer, where the food and water cannot be assimilated by the body.

The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous rejection of a required feeding tube. One who plots suicide through premorbid wishes in a 'Living Will' or another written directive with the intention of setting an example for others also takes on the gravity of scandal.

Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.A Catholic cannot prescind from the Church's mediation and canonical laws binding upon one's conscience. We are not "free" to follow an erroneous or uninformed conscience. We are required to seek out the truth from the Church and her teachings. We are not 'free' to believe one teaching of the Magisterium and not another.The Church's clear moral teachings on Euthanasia are the same for all men, no matter their age, their 'quality of life,' whether they are sick, terminally ill, or dying. To deprive ordinary, palliative care, such as simple 'food and water,' is not "allowing a person to die a naturally." Instead, it would be a grave and evil act of murder [or suicide].

In a recent article, Catholic World News cited a survey revealing that almost 90% U.S. Catholic physicians supported medical treatments and ethical stances contrary to Church teachings.

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