Compassionate dying and information for Catholics
I have come that you may have life, and life to the full. (John 10:10)
Catholic teaching on end-of-life care highlights the importance of dignity, palliative care, and compassionate support. Euthanasia or Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is a major legal, ethical, and social issue. VAD is legal in all states and ACT in Australia. Unfortunately dying, like human life itself, is not that simple, is never without discomfort, and cannot be fully controlled.
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Palliative Community Care
Death, like birth, is a natural part of life. It should be cherished, celebrated, remembered with joy and come in time with the element of mystery. Dying is a necessary process to prepare to leave this human world. Palliative Care supports this process, optimising quality of life. While medicines can alleviate physical suffering, it is compassionate patient presence which alleviates spiritual and emotional pain.
Since all humans are interconnected, dying can be a communal process. It is not simply an individual choice. First Nations communities lead the way by honouring the dying. Compassionate dying calls us to suffer with a person through to death, to share their struggle and affirm their place in community. Unfortunately, the vulnerable of our society may be the ones disproportionately affected by this legislation. VAD will end a life but not solve any issues. The hurt caused will remain.
A Compassionate Community
As we age and decline physically, we gradually lose control over our lives. We all like to have control over our destiny, but the human condition precludes our control over nature, and illness may interfere with our capacity to provide informed consent for VAD.
Compassionate Dying
Regardless of religious belief, this is a sacred time to prepare for the next journey.
The Church will always proclaim that human life is sacred. Beginning with the dignity of the human person, the Church promotes the good of all people and stands in solidarity with the suffering and vulnerable. We have an obligation to make ourselves the neighbour of every person and respond with compassion as we journey with them.
Action
Euthanasia legislation across Australia affects every single one of us, regardless of our age or health. Learn more about this legal, ethical and social issue.
Please learn more about this legal, ethical and social issue and make your voice heard.
Further resources
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released To Witness and to Accompany with Christian Hope, a document guiding priests, chaplains and workers who are asked to provide pastoral support to Catholics who are considering euthanasia.
Australian Care Alliance, Care and Compassion: Opposing Assisted Suicide australiancarealliance.org.au
A unique and compassionate palliative care service at St Vincent’s
A unique and compassionate palliative care service at St Vincent’s Lismore
The Diocese of Lismore is unique in that it is the only Diocese in Australia that owns and operates an acute medical and surgical hospital, St Vincent’s Lismore.
The Palliative Care Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital provides unique and compassionate in-patient care for patients living with a life-limiting or terminal illness in the NSW Northern Rivers community. The unit also accepts public patients, so you don’t need private health cover to access the service.
A multidisciplinary team, including specialised palliative care nurses and specially trained volunteers, use a holistic approach to meet a patient’s physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs during their end-of-life journey.
The palliative care provided at St Vincent’s is different from the community services offered by the Lismore Base Hospital. Patients can be admitted at any stage of their illness (not just acute), including preparing families or patients who need assistance with end-of-life care at home.
The dedicated nine-bed unit offers a range of services including pain and symptom control and management, mobility support, speech therapists, dieticians and social work services, and pastoral care. The unit also works closely with GPs to fulfil the families and patients’ wishes, providing continuity of care or handing over care to the unit.