As Catholics, we respect and love life from conception to natural death. End of life issues, such as the proper treatment of the sick, threat of euthanasia, living wills (advanced healthcare directives), and capital punishment are the source of much debate. Anyone who has journeyed with a dying loved one will appreciate the need for clear and sensitive pastoral direction. In this section you will find some documents which highlight these concerns.

Living Wills (Advanced Healthcare Directives)

Some Catholics perceive these documents as a doorway to promoting direct euthansia, that is, the direct taking of a human life. However, the Church does acknowledge the importance of the autonomy of the individual and the importance of his or her participation in healthcare decisions. The best preparation is to choose a proxy, a representative who will make decisions according to your preferences, in the event a patient is impaired. An understanding of the Church's teachings on hydration and nutrition for persons in a vegetative state is also necessary. Below you will find several articles which help to illuminate our understanding of end-of-life care.

We encourage you to consider your healthcare options now, prior to any life-threatening situation. This link will bring you to an approved Catholic healthcare directive:

• Advance Directives for Health Care (.PDF, 45k)

Capital Punishment

The Church promotes respect for human life even in the face of crimes against society. We believe that human life should be preserved, even the life of a convicted criminal. Since we have many options in our country for preserving the life of the criminal while keeping society safe, we, as Catholics, must oppose capital punishment. See Bishop Smith's comments on the issue below which represent the message of the New Jersey Catholic Bishops.