Posted on 09/14/2007 7:26:02 PM PDT by jy22077
Vatican rules on nourishment for vegetative patients
“In a document approved by Pope Benedict, the Vatican’s doctrinal department said tube-feeding such patients presumed to be near death was “ordinary” care that should not be discontinued because the patients still had human dignity.”
Common sense.
Great verdict!! Common sense!
What Verdict? I don’t think the Pope has much say over US policy or law.
Excerpt:
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican, ruling on a debate that has divided Catholic hospitals, said on Friday it was wrong to stop administering food and water to patients in a vegetative state even if they would never regain consciousness.
In a document approved by Pope Benedict, the Vatican’s doctrinal department said tube-feeding such patients presumed to be near death was “ordinary” care that should not be discontinued because the patients still had human dignity.
The document was bound to prompt further debate among bioethicists, especially in the extensive health system the Church maintains in many countries, over how far doctors should go in using the latest scientific methods to sustain life.
It reaffirmed a position taken by the late Pope John Paul in 2004 during a heated debate in the United States about ending artificial feeding for the severely brain-damaged Terri Schiavo. She was taken off her feeding tube and died in 2005.
“The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary means of preserving life,” the one-page document said, adding the aim of such nourishment was to “prevent death by starvation and dehydration”....
Opps, I thought “Spector” or “OJ” wrong verdict. Well this position by the Pope makes sense.
The pope has spoken … all is well with the world and all will heed.
Decrees from religious leaders are worth as much as decrees from the UN. Not that I think the Vatican decree is wrong, just think that it will amount to the preverbal “hill of beans” in the long run.
It amounts to something to a lot of Catholics.
Yes.
Not trying to get any Catholic knickers in a twist, just stating the obvious. Doesn’t matter what any religious leader has to say … young women in today’s world will not listen, in general. The word on the street means more to them than any pontificated decree, unwanted pregnancy = abortion … short, simple and cheap.
And if the religious leader can’t control abortion … how are they going to control euthanasia.
Captain Obvious?
?
Wait, I know: the culture has been so debased, that even judges prevent such simple care from being applied!
I believe it was directed at Catholic hospitals, so it should have some impact, if they are still actually Catholic hospitals.
Good point. Thanks for the insight.
Can’t God-fearing Catholics think for themselves or pray for God’s guidance? No need to depend on some men in Rome to issue broad guidelines about right and wrong.
No need to depend on some men in Rome to issue broad guidelines about right and wrong.
It was specific on a more and more pertinent question of great concern to families.
The Pope/Magisterium are our church's teaching authority.
It might help you understand to compare it, very loosely, to you looking to your CPA or attorney in their areas of expertise.
This is good. I’m glad to hear it.
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