Did God not commanded us to feed the hungry and care for the sick?
A person has no less of a compassionate death when basic nutrition is given and proper pain control is provided. What you’re suggesting is murder.
My family went through exactly what you and your wife are living with when my Grandmother was stricken down by a severe stroke followed by numerous mini-strokes.
Near the end she too had another severe stroke that left her in a semi-vegetative state. We opted to provide her hydration, basic nutrition and pain relief. At the end we were at peace with our decisions. This would not have been the case if we had hastened her death or worse, knowingly and willingly caused it.
Pray on these passages to help you and your wife at this time, may they bring you comfort.
“The Lord kills, and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave, and brings up.”
I Samuel 2:6
“Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You;
You have appointed his limits so that he cannot pass.”
Job 14:5
If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? James 2:15-16
Catechism of the Catholic Church official position on euthanasia.
2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.
2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.
2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.
2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.
A person has no less of a compassionate death when basic nutrition is given and proper pain control is provided. What you’re suggesting is murder.
If you were trapped in a burning car after an accident and there was no chance for you to be extricated, and a person at the scene had a gun, would you want that person to terminate you or let you burn to death? Just saying.
Certain circumstances require extreme actions. Allowing a person to die in extreme cases may be more gracious than extending a persons life.
I may get flamed for my opinion but it is my honest opinion.