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Respect Life Month: End of Life
There is a lot of confusion in our culture today about the end of life. For those with little faith, the suffering, debility, and helplessness of serious illness or advanced age does not make sense. Some think that euthanasia and assisted suicide are justified to prevent suffering or what is seen as loss of “value.”
During this month of October, the Church asks us to prayerfully reflect on the dignity of every human person, from conception until natural death. Every human life is valuable. As children of God, made in His image, every person has a sanctity and dignity that cannot be diminished by illness, disability, or age.
We might have family members that are going through a serious illness or approaching the end of their life; or we might be facing these situations ourselves. As Catholics, we are fortunate that we have many resources and much support to help us through these difficult times. Here are just a few:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has a wealth of resources to help with end-of-life issues, including documents on moral principles and decision making, statements on euthanasia, assisted suicide, pain relief and palliative care, and guidelines for caring for a person at the end of their life. https://www.usccb.org/prolife/end-life
Caring for the Whole Person, https://wholeperson.care/, is a collaborative project of the California Catholic Bishopsand California Catholic Health Systems, which seeks to ensure that parishioners and patients are accompanied, loved and supported in their serious illness and end-of-life journey. The objective of Caring for the Whole Person is to educate, equip and empower each person at any stage of life to make informed decisions for their health and well-being through science-based research, Catholic Healthcare ethics, and the Gospel message. The initiative of Caring for the Whole Person takes its guidance from the Ethical Directives for Catholic Health Care, with much of the directives focusing on enhancing end of life care.
The Los Angeles Archdiocese Office of Life, Justice and Peace website also has information about Caring for the Whole Person. Visit https://lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/end-of-life-care to learn more about Catholic bioethics, download the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Healthcare Directives, and access helpful tools for End-of-Life Care.
CatholicLegacy.com, https://catholiclegacy.com/, a new product of Relevant Radio https://relevantradio.com/, is a free online site that provides resources and guidance, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, to help individuals and families plan for the end of life. They offer support in navigating essential decisions about your estate, healthcare preferences, and funeral wishes, ensuring your values and beliefs are reflected. Online tools help you create a will, Healthcare Directive and preplan your funeral.
‘We know earthly death is not the end,
but rather the door through which we must pass to gain eternal life.
Because of our belief and hope in the Resurrection,
we can face death not with fear, but with preparation.”
https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/catholic-considerations-our-earthly-passing
Surround them with love, support, and companionship that are "anchored in unconditional respect for their human dignity, beginning with respect for the inherent value of their lives."
—To Live Each Day with Dignity, USCCB
~St. Luke Life, Justice and Peace Ministry
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