Note to Viewers about Living Wills

There are many Advance Healthcare Directives (Living Wills) in circulation these days, but not all of them are in unison with the authentic Teaching of the Catholic Church. This means that before signing a Living Will, or requesting a Proxy/Durable power of attorney for healthcare, Catholics need to thoroughly investigate the fidelity of the document to the Magisterium. Remember that as a Catholic, it is a sin to request an immoral act to be done to yourself in your Advance Healthcare Directive (An example of an immoral act requested in an Advance Healthcare Directive, is requesting euthanasia. See resources below for more information on moral and immoral acts requested in an Advance Healthcare Directive.). Furthermore, if you find a Living Will or a Proxy/Durable power of attorney for healthcare document, that is faithful to the Magisterium, make sure that it meets the proper legal requirements of your state. You never want to sign a document that could produce legal problems.

The following Living Wills and Proxies/Durable power of attorney for healthcare, deals with the United States of America. If you reside in a different nation, contact the following organizations to help direct you to find a Pro-Life Living Will, and Proxy/Durable power of attorney for healthcare in your nation: Here are some Pro-Life Living Wills (Wills To Live) and Proxies:

Lastly, it is highly encouraged that before making an End-of-Life decision, to have a member of the clergy who is in unison with the Magisterium, give his spiritual guidance in the decision making process.


End-of-Life Decisions: Resources

(Note to Viewers: A good portion of the following resources deals with the United States of America. LPCA has done its best to make the resources universal as possible.)

End-of-Life Decisions (EWTN Resources)

A Catholic Guide To End-Of-Life Decisions

Living Wills, End-of-Life Issues ("The World Over" Air Dates: 5/6/2005 and 9/28/2007)

Caring for Persons in the Persistent Vegetative State

Loneliness in the Context of Illness and Dying: A Catholic Perspective

A Patient in a Vegetative State Is a Human Person

Priests for Life Resources about the Evils of Euthanasia

The Florida Catholic Conference- "Life, Death and the Treatment of Dying Patients", 1989

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON "LIFE SUSTAINING TREATMENTS AND VEGETATIVE STATE: SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS" 

Refusing Food and Water to Non-Dying Patients

Message on the End of Life Issues-Center for Life Principles

Moral Guidance for End-of-Life Decisions by Fr. Frank Pavone (7/5/2005)

Fr. Groeschel talks about End-of-Life Issues ("Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel" Air Date: 7/10/2005)

In Italy, Support for Those in a Vegetative State

TERRI SCHIAVO CASE SHOWS SOME PROBLEMS WITH LIVING WILLS

Why Catholics Should Avoid Secular Living Wills

PRO-LIFE NURSE SAYS LIVING WILLS PRESENT EUTHANASIA PROBLEMS FOR PRO-LIFERS

With Terri Schiavo Drawing Headlines More Americans Discuss Death

National Association of Pro-Life Nurses: Living Wills are Not the Answer

Vatican Affirms Church Teaching On Nutrition And Hydration For Individuals In ‘Vegetative State’

Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 2279

On Basic Care for Patients in the 'Vegetative' State

EWTN Theology Roundtable 03-11-12 - End of Life Issues - YouTube

Responses to Certain Questions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration