Euthanasia and The Catholic Church Essay

Euthanasia is described as an act or omission which of itself and by intention causes death, with the purpose of eliminating all suffering [1]. As such because this is a controversial topic that involves both life and death it falls under the category of being a biological ethical issue [2]. However, recent a form of euthanasia referred to as voluntary euthanasia, where a doctor acts out euthanasia at a patient’s request was legalized in Victoria in June 2019, will be legal in Western Australia in mid-2021 [3] and was previously legal in the Northern Territory [10] with a lot of people campaigning for it to be legalized elsewhere. Aside from the secular view on the topic, many world religions have started to become vocal, with Christianity and many of its different denominations being one of the biggest voices against Euthanasia. The idea of euthanasia goes against the Christian morals of God’s creation and both the value and sanctity of life. It is because of this that the majority of Christian adherents would view euthanasia as being unethical. In Christianity, there are many denominations. In particular, Roman Catholicism follows the main doctrines, religious figures, beliefs, and values that generally represent the majority of Christian adherents as well as how they form a response to the issue of euthanasia.

It is empirical to understand the method by which Religious adherents form responses. In turn, when it comes to forming a response, the majority of Christian adherents formulate ethical responses with objective moral values. This ethical framework carries the mindset that ethical choices are either right or wrong and that a view held by an individual is irrespective of this [4]. Based on natural law, Roman Catholics hold the idea that basic fundamental values are subconsciously held by everyone through goodwill and human reason. This means that written or spoken views from the Catholic church will provide adherents with a viewpoint to stand by. In regard to euthanasia, the values, and key beliefs that are often found in the many different books located in the Bible should be examined. The sanctity/value of life and or God's creation is commonly brought up as Catholicism’s biggest belief/value against euthanasia. Every single human life bears the image of God. It, therefore, has special intrinsic value regardless of how young, old, able-bodied, or disabled life might be [5]. This originates in (Genesis 1:27) where it is stated that God created mankind in his own image. It is a belief that has become a staple in Christian beliefs and ethical teachings that God created mankind in his image and as such adherents should cherish it. It is because of this that Pope Pius Xii noted in his address on February 24, 1957, that “Euthanasia is unlawful because, in that case, a claim is being made to dispose directly of life. It is one of the fundamental principles of natural and Christian morality that man is not the master and owner, but has only the use, of his body and life” [6]. Due to the ethical decision-making process and the main core value against euthanasia, the conclusion can be drawn that Roman Catholic adherents would be opposed to euthanasia. Whilst this might be the case as well as for the majority of other Christian denominations there is still a minority of other denominations with a different ethical thinking process.

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Although being a denomination of Christianity, Methodists have an ethical thinking process arbitrary to the majority of the other denominations. Methodists have more of a focus on individual freedom of conscience allowing its adherents to determine the means and timing of their death [7]. However, this does not mean that the Methodist Church supports Euthanasia but rather the opposite. It is argued by Methodists that man and God are meant to have a fellowship and that this is an essential aspect of life. It is, in fact, the possibility of an utterly unbreakable fellowship with God that gives man’s life its eternal dimension. Death is an event in that life, marking a transition rather than a terminus. ‘terminal condition is not a part of the fellowship with God that Christians have, death is just considered as part of life. This is what creates such a blurred line between what decision should or shouldn’t be made as it doesn’t form an opinion for the adherent but rather gives them the choice to follow it. The reason why this divergence in belief exists is because of the protestant reformation of the 16th century where many different denominations branched away from Catholicism. Methodism itself was a sub-set of the Anglican Church where its founder John Wesley moved for the legal separation from the Anglican Church in 1784 [8]. However, Roman Catholicism better represents the ethical thinking process of the majority of Christianity over Methodism, and as such a Roman Catholic adherent would provide a better insight into the generalized Christian view on euthanasia.

An adherent’s viewpoint is a great way of gaining insight into the thought process of religion. Catholic Bioethics Scholar Axel Liégeois addresses Catholic mental health services and how they can deal with and help patients requesting euthanasia due to psychiatric distress. This question comes to arise because an act on euthanasia in Belgium allows euthanasia under certain conditions whereas the Roman Catholic Church forbids it under all circumstances. Therefore, he provides an alternative way in which Catholics should deal with euthanasia when presented with the issue. Integration of fundamental values. Caregivers should in a timely fashion make clear that life is inviolable, attentively respect the patient’s autonomy, and provide the best possible care relationship, including counseling for existential questions. Any persisting request for euthanasia should be dealt with in the only sensible way possible, referring the patient to another physician, and guaranteeing the continuity of the care relationship [9]. His view is both different and unique as well as it provides Christian adherents with a solution when faced with the issue of euthanasia.

Ethical Framework

Therefore, it can be argued that by drawing on values on the sanctity and value of life and the many biblical teachings and doctrines, Christian adherents use the objective moral and natural lawn ethical decision-making process to come to a definite view on euthanasia. The practice of euthanasia can result in the death of an individual which is where the ethical dilemma lies. Methodism, through the use of doctrine such as biblical teachings generally states that euthanasia goes against the core belief that we are made in God’s image which leads euthanasia to be considered unethical but leaves the decision up to the adherent. Roman Catholicism commonly takes a more conservative stance on euthanasia, by drawing on the Book of Genesis and the Pope’s addresses that life is sacred and as such should not be ended purposefully and doesn’t count in individuality limiting its adherents to one stance that euthanasia is unethical.