END OF LIFE ISSUES

"To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. In particular, Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny." In June of 2011 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on physician-assisted suicide which also affirms our Catholic response to those who are terminally or chronically ill. To read the statement go to: To Live Each Day with Dignity

The USCCB has a website dedicated to end of life issues which includes Catholic Church teachings on dying, caring for the sick and legislative action: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/assisted-suicide/to-live-each-day/

Catholic Health Care Directives
A resource from the North Dakota Catholic Conference

The North Dakota Catholic Conference (NDCC) has published a Catholic health care directive that meets North Dakota law, reflects Catholic teaching, and incorporates the advice of health care providers, ethicists, lawyers, chaplains, and experienced laypersons.

NDCC has created a website with an easy to use order/download form. You can download the copies you need or order multiple copies from the conference at no charge. The website also contains useful information on directives, end-of-life care, Catholic principles on health care decisions, bulletin inserts and links to additional information.

Address of John Paul II
Saturday March 20, 2004

To the Participants in the International Congress of
"Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advantages and Ethical Dilemmas"

To read this address, click here.

Additional Literary Resources:

The Charter for Health Care Workers
Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, Vatican City, 1995
http://www.wf-f.org/healthcarecharter.html

Internet Resources:

The National Catholic Bioethics Center www.ncbcenter.org

For questions or to request more information, please contact:

Rachelle Sauvageau
Respect Life Office Director
5201 Bishops Blvd, Suite A
Fargo, ND 58104
(701) 356-7910

Diocese of Fargo
5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A
Fargo, ND 58104-7605
Phone: 701-356-7900
Contact us

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website last modified: January 31, 2012.

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Catholic Health Care Directives A resource from the North Dakota Catholic Conference

Catholic Health Care Directives
A resource from the North Dakota Catholic Conference