Parliament is currently considering a citizens’ initiative that seeks to legalise euthanasia in Finland. According to the initiators, opinion polls indicate that a majority of Finns support the legalisation of euthanasia. On behalf of Catholic Social and Healthcare Professionals (KatSote), we wish to present the Catholic perspective on euthanasia and palliative care and to clarify the meaning of both. At the same time, we express our support for the Finnish Medical Association and for all individuals who, regardless of religion or denomination, oppose euthanasia.
What Is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia means that someone other than the patient intentionally brings about the death of a suffering patient. In most cases, euthanasia is carried out by a physician. Physician-assisted suicide, by contrast, refers to a situation in which a doctor assists the patient, but the patient ultimately causes his or her own death.
The legalisation of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is not merely a private matter concerning the patient alone. Such legislation would mean that at least some physicians or other healthcare professionals would be required to carry out or assist in actions whose purpose is to cause the patient’s death. Euthanasia also affects the dying patient’s family members, relatives, and friends.
According to Catholic teaching, euthanasia is murder, regardless of the motives invoked. Allowing euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide would contribute to the spread of a culture of death in our society. Pope John Paul II spoke of a “culture of death”. The expression is striking, but sadly accurate: in a culture of life, solutions are sought in life; in a culture of death, solutions are sought in death.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is holistic medical, physical, psychological, and spiritual care for patients approaching the end of life. Pain relief is an essential component of such care. Never before has medicine been able to alleviate suffering as effectively as it can today. Nevertheless, facing suffering is often difficult, both for the one who suffers and for those close to them. Many feel helpless as death approaches.
Palliative care is an important part of the final stage of life and of the grieving process. Being together during the last moments of life can offer a profound opportunity to grow in love, care, and tenderness. Encountering death and suffering is part of the human condition. As Christians, we believe in the resurrection of the dead and in eternal life. Christian faith brings a perspective of hope to suffering.
The Jubilee Year of Hope
This year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope. Pope Francis, who died earlier this year, wrote:
“Signs of hope should be shown to the sick, whether at home or in hospital. Their suffering can be alleviated by the closeness, compassion, and affection of those who visit them. Works of mercy are works of hope.”
According to him, particular attention should be given to those who are seriously ill or living with disabilities. Together, we can strive to ensure that no one has to suffer alone.
The Catholic Church always stands on the side of life and care, because life is sacred in its entirety, from beginning to end. God is the giver of life. The inherent dignity of human life means that we have responsibility for one another, since all our actions have consequences for our neighbours. Life is a gift from God, and human beings do not have the right to decide when life should end.
Euthanasia does not solve the problem of suffering; rather, it violates the infinite dignity of every human person – a dignity that is not diminished even by great suffering.
In our society, killing or harming another human being is prohibited. This forms a firm and secure foundation for society. Legalising euthanasia would not strengthen trust in healthcare, and it would change our attitude toward one another.
Marketta Pylväskangas, M.Th., psychotherapist, board member of Catholic Social and Healthcare Professionals (KatSote)
Marja-Liisa Mäkiranta, registered nurse (internal medicine and surgery), Vice Chair of KatSote
Pyry Sipilä, MD, PhD, Chair of KatSote
FACTS – Euthanasia and Palliative Care
EUTHANASIA
• The debate on euthanasia and palliative care is timely due to a citizens’ initiative proposing the legalisation of euthanasia in Finland.
• Euthanasia means intentionally ending the life of a suffering patient.
• If euthanasia is legalised, at least some physicians or healthcare professionals would be required to perform actions leading to a patient’s death.
• Euthanasia affects the patient as well as family members, relatives, and friends.
• According to Catholic teaching, God gives life, and life is sacred from beginning to end.
• Therefore, human beings do not have the right to decide when life should end.
• From a Catholic perspective, euthanasia is always murder, regardless of circumstances.
PALLIATIVE CARE
• Palliative care is holistic medical, physical, psychological, and spiritual care provided before impending death.
• Pain relief is an essential part of palliative care.
• Palliative care is an important part of the grieving process for both patients and their families.
• Palliative care affects patients as well as their families, relatives, and friends.
• The Catholic Church always stands for life, care, and compassion, and therefore defends palliative care and opposes euthanasia.