My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are thirteen (13) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not kill.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2324.

The Fifth Commandment ‘You shall not kill’ includes voluntary euthanasia as an offense against life. The Catechism highlights five aspects of euthanasia as a crime against the Fifth Commandment.

While it is obvious that involuntary euthanasia is murder, Mother Church reminds us that voluntary euthanasia is also murder. Involuntary euthanasia is done against the person’s will. When a person is unconscious, or otherwise mentally or emotionally unable to make rational decisions, any euthanasia is thereby involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia is done in accord with the persons’ will.

There are many forms of euthanasia. Active euthanasia requires the doing of something, giving an overdose of medicines, suffocating… Passive euthanasia brings about death by the omission of doing something such as withdrawing or withholding treatment. While Mother Church does not require any to undergo extraordinary means to preserve life, assisted administration of nutrition and hydration (feeding tube, intravenous fluid) are not considered “extraordinary” in that they can be done even at home. If, however, the person’s body is no longer able to assimilate such nutrition and/or hydration, the omission of such is not a form of euthanasia.

While there are many motives given for euthanasia, it is important to remember the great moral principle: “The ends do not justify the means.” To put someone “out of their misery,” so called “mercy killing” is a sugar coating of murder in the face of real suffering. The Second Vatican Council and Saint John Paul II both remind us that it is in light of the Cross of Christ and His resurrection that suffering, sorrow, and death grow meaningful (cf. Gaudium et spes, 22.6; Salvifici Doloris). Our redemption was accomplished through the Cross of Christ, that is, through His suffering, “we make up what lacks in the sufferings of Christ” (SD, 3; Colossians 1:24).

Euthanasia is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person. The gift of and right to life comes from God in whose image we are made. To kill someone else is against the human dignity of the one killed. To kill another is against the dignity of the one who kills. With faith in Christ we have our comfort in Him who has been raised (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:5). When we suffer we participate in the sufferings of Christ as we anticipate sharing His glory and the exceeding joy of Heaven (cf. 1 Peter 4:13).

Euthanasia disrespects the living Creator God. We should recall the Book of Job 1:21 “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” The Good Lord will get us when He is good and ready. May we be ready. Let us not rush or force His hand. Life appears more than six hundred times throughout Sacred Scripture. Let us defend and treasure it.

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr