Grace Thompson
Religion and spirituality are important factors for many patients seeking care, and understanding a patient's religious beliefs is crucial when dealing with difficult medical decisions. Given that one in five US adults identify as Catholic, it is important for clinicians to have a basic understanding of the Catholic Church's teachings, particularly when it comes to end-of-life care. This includes knowledge of sacraments such as the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick, as well as the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means of care, which can guide decisions about appropriate treatments. Additionally, Catholic patients may have specific requests, such as the burial of amputated limbs in consecrated ground, and it is important for healthcare providers to be aware of these practices to ensure a positive and culturally competent environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| End-of-life care | Catholic patients have a duty to make reasonable efforts to restore health. |
| Catholic patients are under no obligation to receive medical treatments that are "extraordinary" or "disproportionate". | |
| Standard palliative interdisciplinary care, including pain management, is consistent with Catholic Church teaching. | |
| Any medical intervention that seeks to hasten death is morally impermissible. | |
| Medical decision-making | The medical team should involve a Catholic priest and professionals well-versed in Catholic medical ethics. |
| Catholic patients may request the Eucharist (or Communion), which can be provided by a Catholic priest or chaplain. | |
| The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament for the seriously ill, consisting of prayer, scripture readings, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. | |
| Catholic patients may request that amputated limbs be buried in consecrated ground. | |
| Autopsy and organ donation are acceptable. | |
| Cremation is preferred on the day of death, and the body is not left alone until cremated. | |
| Euthanasia is forbidden. | |
| Healthcare philosophy | Catholic theology emphasizes the need to guarantee adequate healthcare for all. |
| The market-based healthcare system often fails to deliver the distributive justice that Catholic teaching demands. |
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What You'll Learn
End-of-life care
Catholics believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and that God has created every person for eternal life. The Catholic Church does not allow euthanasia for terminally ill patients but believes that patients should be kept as free from pain as possible until they die a natural death with dignity in the place of their choice. The bodies of those who have passed away must be treated with respect, with the hope of the Resurrection on the Last Day.
Catholic patients are not obligated to pursue extraordinary or disproportionate means of care, which is medical care that imposes an excessive burden and is unlikely to provide the desired benefit. Instead, they have a duty to make reasonable efforts to restore health through ordinary or proportionate means of care, which is medical care that provides a reasonable chance of benefit and does not involve excessive burden. This includes standard palliative care, such as pain management and the use of high-dose opioids or sedatives at the end of life, as long as they are used to treat refractory symptoms.
As a patient approaches the end of their life, family members and clergy may visit and pray with them. A priest may offer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, which is a healing ritual that can be performed at any time during the patient's illness. When a Catholic patient is nearing death, they or their family may request that a priest perform the Last Rites or Viaticum, which includes confession, Anointing of the Sick, and final Holy Communion. These sacraments are a way to cleanse the patient of their sins as they prepare for the afterlife.
During the end-of-life transition, a patient may experience rapid physical and mental changes. A quiet, patient presence can provide important support as the person prepares emotionally and spiritually for their passing. Reading a favourite passage, praying together, or simply sitting quietly with the patient can be soothing. It is important to provide tenderness and personal human contact, such as gently brushing their hair or holding their hand. Sharing stories, laughter, and memories can reassure the person that they are cherished and not a burden.
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Medical decision-making
The Catholic Church's teachings on medical decision-making strike a balance between euthanasia and "medical vitalism". The Church recognises that life is a value to be protected, but biological life itself is not absolute. This perspective encourages prudent decisions that weigh the benefits and burdens of specific treatments for individual patients.
Catholic patients may seek guidance from the Church's distinction between ordinary and extraordinary care, or proportionate and disproportionate means of preserving life. Disproportionate means are those that, in the patient's judgment, do not offer a reasonable hope of benefit or impose excessive burdens on the patient, their family, or the community. This evaluation of treatment options helps Catholics navigate end-of-life decisions with confidence, acknowledging the limits of medical technology.
Healthcare professionals treating Catholic patients can contribute to informed decision-making by providing transparent information about treatment options. This includes explaining the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of each option. Additionally, encouraging patients to engage in advance care planning can help ensure that their values and preferences guide future medical decisions if they become unable to make those decisions independently.
It is important for Catholic healthcare professionals to stay updated not only on medical advancements but also on ethical issues. This includes being well-versed in key topics such as the soaring HIV rates in certain populations and the ability to recognise victims of human trafficking and prostitution. By integrating their faith with their medical practice, Catholic doctors can strive for excellence and humility, emulating Jesus' ministry of healing.
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The role of a Catholic priest
A Catholic priest is chosen by God to serve Christ and the Church. They are ordained by a bishop and make a lifelong commitment to celibacy and obedience. The priest's role is varied and includes guiding the Church in the name of Christ, celebrating Mass, preaching the Gospel, and administering Sacraments.
In the context of caring for a Catholic patient, the priest's role is to provide pastoral care and spiritual support. They should be involved when navigating complex decision-making with patients and families, particularly regarding end-of-life care. The priest can administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the Viaticum, or Holy Communion for the dying. The priest can also provide the Eucharist (Holy Communion) to patients who desire it but are unable to attend Mass due to illness.
The priest's role is not to push any religious agenda but to offer comfort and support to those going through difficult times. They can provide a connection to the Church and its teachings, which can be a source of comfort and guidance for Catholic patients and their families. The priest can also help with reconciliation and connecting patients with their families, especially when approaching the end of life.
Additionally, the priest can be a resource for the medical team, providing guidance on Catholic medical ethics and the Church's teachings on end-of-life care. This includes understanding the distinction between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" means of care, as well as the Church's position on medically-assisted nutrition and hydration and physician-assisted dying.
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Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic ritual that can be administered to any Catholic who has "reached the age of reason" and is in danger due to sickness or old age. Anointing of the Sick is not only for those at the point of death, but for anyone experiencing illness or facing serious illness or injury. It is intended to strengthen the sick person, giving them peace, comfort, courage and forgiveness of sins.
The sacrament is celebrated by a Catholic priest and consists of prayer, scripture readings, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. The anointing with oil is intended to strengthen the sick person, giving them the strength to face illness, surgery, or death. The sacrament may be performed multiple times if a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens. It can be administered at home, in a hospital, a care institution, or in a church.
The core message of the sacrament is that God wants to heal and reconcile people with one another and with Him. It is believed that Jesus touches the sick through the sacrament, healing them from sin and sometimes from physical ailment. The hoped-for effect is that the person will be physically healed, but even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the sacrament is spiritual healing, by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or old age.
The Anointing of the Sick has historically been known by various names, including "Extreme Unction" ("final anointing"), "holy oil", "unction of God", "Viaticum" ("Food for the Journey"), and "the Last Rites". The Second Vatican Council called for the name to be changed from Extreme Unction to Anointing of the Sick to reflect that the sacrament is not just for those at the point of death.
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Catholic social and economic teachings
Catholic social teaching is rooted in the belief that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the basis of all the principles of Catholic social teaching.
Catholic social teaching calls on its followers to work to avoid war and protect the right to life by finding ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them peacefully. It also emphasizes the importance of putting the needs of the poor and vulnerable first, advocating for social welfare programs and economic policies that promote the equitable distribution of income and access to essential goods and services.
Catholic social doctrine also addresses the relationship between rich and poor nations, highlighting the obligation of wealthy countries to assist less developed nations while respecting their cultures. It emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship, recognizing that care for the earth and protection of people are integral parts of their faith.
Catholic social teaching provides an alternative way of thinking and behaving, promoting moral and ethical principles such as supporting the common good, solidarity, and social justice. It emphasizes the importance of work as a form of continuing participation in God's creation and calls for the protection of workers' rights and decent and fair wages.
Overall, Catholic social and economic teachings are based on the inherent dignity of the human person and the belief that society should be organized in a way that enhances human life and dignity.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic patients are obligated to make reasonable efforts to restore their health. However, they are not obliged to receive medical treatments that are deemed "extraordinary" or "disproportionate", i.e., those that impose excessive burdens or are unlikely to provide the desired benefit. Standard palliative care, including pain management, is consistent with Catholic teachings.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, also known as the Last Rites, is important for seriously ill Catholic patients. It consists of prayer, scripture readings, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil, and is celebrated by a Catholic priest. Another sacrament is the Eucharist or Communion, in which Catholics believe bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Ministers of the Eucharist can be found through a medical center's spiritual care department.
Catholics are encouraged to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, especially during Lent, although fish is permitted. Additionally, they may avoid drugs containing alcohol and caffeine.
Autopsy and organ donation are generally acceptable in Catholicism. Cremation is also common and may be performed on the day of death, with the body not left alone until cremated. A Catholic patient may also request that an amputated limb be buried in consecrated ground.
