Michael Brooks
The Extraordinary Form, also known as the Tridentine Mass, is the liturgy in the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church. It was codified in 1570 and used until its replacement by the Mass of Paul VI in 1969. The Extraordinary Form is celebrated almost exclusively in Ecclesiastical Latin and is considered an older form of the Roman rite. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the continued use of this form, recognizing its value as a beautiful expression of the faith. The Extraordinary Form emphasizes reverence and a strong focus on God, with unique liturgical gestures and a mode of prayer sanctified by time. While some may view it as a confusing or negative practice, the Church encourages Catholics to recognize it as part of their heritage and participate in it to appreciate its differences and commonalities with other forms of Mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Extraordinary care" refers to medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. |
| Legitimacy | It is legitimate to discontinue such procedures, as per the Catechism of the Catholic Church. |
| Moral Obligation | Catholics are morally obligated to receive and provide ordinary care. |
| Extraordinary Care | Extraordinary care is morally optional, and individuals can choose whether to receive it. |
| Advance Directives | Individuals should specify their will regarding aggressive medical care and their adherence to Catholic teachings in an Advance Directive. |
| Spiritual Care | Advance Directives should also address spiritual care, including visits from priests and receiving sacraments. |
| End-of-Life Decisions | End-of-life decisions should be made by the patient if competent or by those legally entitled to act on their behalf. |
| Palliative Care | Palliative care is encouraged as it does not will death but foresees it as inevitable. |
| Extraordinary Form | Refers to the traditional liturgy of the Roman rite, which Pope Benedict XVI declared should be honoured for its ancient usage. |
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What You'll Learn
The difficulty of distinguishing ordinary vs. extraordinary care
The Catholic Church's position on end-of-life decisions regarding ordinary versus extraordinary care can be challenging to discern. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it can be legitimate to discontinue medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. This distinction is vital as Catholics have a moral obligation to receive and provide ordinary care.
Ordinary care refers to the conscientious administration of necessary or useful remedies to help the sick lead as normal a life as possible. It is morally obligatory for Catholics to receive and provide such care. However, determining what constitutes ordinary care can be complex and depend on various factors. For example, surgery is generally considered an extraordinary intervention, but it may be deemed ordinary if the benefits outweigh the burdens.
Extraordinary care, on the other hand, refers to medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. While it is morally optional for Catholics to receive such care, they have the right to refuse it. Examples of extraordinary care can include life support, dialysis, and ventilators, though this is not always the case. For instance, a young person may require a ventilator for a few days after a traumatic accident, making the burdens of treatment proportionate to the benefits.
The difficulty in distinguishing between ordinary and extraordinary care lies in the nuances of each situation. Factors such as the complexity and risk of treatment, its cost, and the patient's physical and moral resources all come into play. Additionally, the patient's reasonable will and legitimate interests must be respected, and ordinary care should not be interrupted even if death is imminent. The National Catholic Bioethics Center provides free counselling to help individuals navigate these challenging end-of-life decisions.
To ensure that one's end-of-life wishes are respected, Catholics can create an Advance Directive, similar to a Living Will. This document outlines one's general will regarding aggressive medical care and adheres to Catholic teachings on end-of-life decisions, including the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration. It also addresses spiritual care, such as the desire to be visited by a priest or to receive the sacraments. By creating an Advance Directive, individuals can ensure their intentions are known and followed when they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves.
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The moral obligation to receive and give ordinary care
The Catholic Church makes a distinction between ordinary and extraordinary care, which can be difficult to discern. Ordinary care refers to the basic and necessary medical procedures and treatments that are used to help a person recover from an illness or injury. Catholics have a moral obligation to seek and provide ordinary care, which is not the same as extraordinary care.
Extraordinary care, on the other hand, refers to medical interventions that are considered "extra" or additional to ordinary care. This could include things like dialysis, ventilators, and surgery, which can be life-saving but are not always necessary or proportionate to the expected outcome. The use of extraordinary care is morally optional, and individuals can choose whether or not to receive it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it can be legitimate to discontinue medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. This is not considered euthanasia, as the intention is not to cause death but to accept that it cannot be impeded.
When facing end-of-life decisions, it is crucial to obtain trustworthy medical, spiritual, and moral advice. The Advance Directive, similar to a Living Will, allows individuals to express their wishes regarding aggressive medical care and their adherence to Catholic teachings. It also ensures their intentions are respected if they are unable to make decisions for themselves.
The National Catholic Bioethics Center provides a free counselling service to help individuals navigate these complex choices, especially at the end of life. The distinction between ordinary and extraordinary care is essential in Catholic bioethics, and individuals have a moral duty to understand and uphold their obligations in seeking and providing care.
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The moral permissibility of refusing extraordinary care
The Catholic Church makes a distinction between ordinary and extraordinary care, with Catholics having a moral obligation to receive and give ordinary care. Ordinary care is defined as the necessary and useful remedies for the sick, and it is not permissible to refuse this.
Extraordinary care, on the other hand, is defined as medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. This type of care is morally optional, and persons can choose whether to receive it or not. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it is legitimate to refuse extraordinary care, as it is a refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. This distinction can be difficult to discern, and the National Catholic Bioethics Center provides a counselling service to help individuals make these decisions.
When it comes to end-of-life decisions, the Church teaches that it is morally permissible to refuse extraordinary care, as long as death is not willed as an end goal but is instead accepted as inevitable. Palliative care, or the use of painkillers to alleviate suffering, is encouraged as it respects human dignity and does not intend to cause death. Direct euthanasia, on the other hand, is not permitted as it constitutes murder and is contrary to human dignity and respect for God.
In making these decisions, it is necessary to obtain trustworthy medical, spiritual, and moral advice. The Advance Directive, similar to a Living Will, can be used to express one's general will regarding aggressive medical care and end-of-life decisions, such as withdrawing nutrition and hydration. It is important to make one's intentions known in advance to ensure they are respected when one is unable to make decisions for themselves.
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The role of the National Catholic Bioethics Center
One of the primary tasks in bioethics is distinguishing between ordinary and extraordinary means when it comes to medical care. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it is legitimate to discontinue medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or extraordinary and disproportionate to the expected outcome. This distinction is vital because Catholics are morally obligated to receive and provide ordinary care. However, extraordinary care is morally optional, and individuals can choose whether to receive it.
The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) plays a crucial role in helping Catholics navigate these complex decisions, especially at the end of life. The NCBC offers a free counselling service to guide individuals in choosing between ordinary and extraordinary means of care. It also provides moral analysis to the offices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican, although it is not governed or funded by the Catholic Church.
In addition to its counselling services, the NCBC is actively involved in education, publications, research, and public policy. The NCBC has developed an extensive set of online resources, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers a certification program in Health Care Ethics. In partnership with Catholic International University, the NCBC also provides an introductory course in Catholic Health Care Ethics to high school and homeschool students.
Through these initiatives, the NCBC equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about end-of-life care, vaccination, gender ideology, and other ethical challenges in scientific research and healthcare. The NCBC serves as a trusted resource for Catholics in the United States and internationally, helping them navigate the complexities of Catholic bioethics and ensuring their decisions align with Catholic moral teachings.
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The Church's teaching on extraordinary care for the sick
The Catholic Church's teachings on extraordinary care for the sick revolve around the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means of treatment. Ordinary care is deemed morally obligatory, while extraordinary care is considered morally optional.
Ordinary care refers to the basic and necessary medical procedures and treatments that are proportional to the expected outcome. Catholics have a moral obligation to seek and receive ordinary care for themselves and provide it to others. This includes palliative care, which is considered a special form of charity.
On the other hand, extraordinary care involves medical interventions that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome. Examples include dialysis, ventilators, and surgery. While these treatments can be life-saving, they may also impose significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and their families. The Church teaches that it can be legitimate to discontinue or refuse extraordinary care, not as a means to cause death, but as an acceptance of medical limitations and the inevitable outcome of death.
The decision to withdraw or withhold extraordinary care should be made by the competent patient or, if the patient is unable, by those legally entitled to act on their behalf. It is essential to obtain trustworthy medical, spiritual, and moral advice when making end-of-life decisions. The Church emphasizes that even when death is imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person should not be interrupted.
To ensure that one's wishes are respected, Catholics can create an Advance Directive, similar to a Living Will. This document outlines one's general will regarding aggressive medical care, nutrition, and hydration, as well as spiritual care, such as the desire to be visited by a priest and receive the sacraments.
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Frequently asked questions
Ordinary care is medical care that provides a reasonable chance of benefit and does not involve excessive burden, whereas extraordinary care involves excessive burden, and is unlikely to provide the desired benefit.
Dialysis and ventilators are examples of extraordinary care as they use machines to keep someone alive.
The Church teaches that it is morally unacceptable to end the lives of sick or dying persons. Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate.
Ordinary care is a special form of disinterested charity and should be encouraged.
Catholics have a moral obligation to receive and give ordinary care. Extraordinary care is morally optional, and individuals can choose whether to receive it.
