Five European countries have legalized euthanasia, and in the U.S., assisted suicide is legal in nine states and Washington, D.C.
As of June this year, voluntary assisted dying is legal in every Australian state.
The Vatican has published a document to explain its teachings on end-of-life issues amid the growing legalization of assisted suicide around the world.
‘Small Lexicon for End-of-Life’ breaks down important words and phrases dealing with topics like euthanasia, the vegetative state, and assisted suicide.
Written by members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, its goal is to reiterate the Church’s traditional stance on these topics and avoid misinterpretations.
For example, the document clarifies three circumstances where it is morally acceptable to stop artificial nutrition and hydration:
When they are no longer clinically effective, meaning when the tissues are no longer able to absorb the administered substances.
When they are unavailable in the healthcare setting.
And when they cause the patient ‘excessive burden or significant physical discomfort’ due to the instruments used.
The new Vatican document ends with a form where a person can outline how they wish to approach healthcare treatments in the face of illness, disability, and death.”
“In sickness, patients desperately need help making sense of their tremendous suffering, going beyond mere human reasoning and emotions, with a perspective that encompasses the entire spiritual and transcendent dimension of the person,” said Gabriella Gambino, Under-secretary for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
This guide builds on a document the Vatican released four years ago that emphasized the importance of dialogue between patients and providers.