Catholic Teaching Against Active Euthanasia

Three months ago, your father got into a significant car wreck; his car was hit by another going 100mph and the paramedics found his body 50 feet from the scene of the accident. Today, the doctor told you that he is in a vegetative state. Your father has some brain activity, but he will most likely not come out of it. What would you do in this situation?
The purpose of this paper is to explain how euthanasia given to a person with active brain activity in a vegetative state is immoral, and therefore, goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church. In order to do so, a definition and history of euthanasia will be given first. Second, “brain activity”, “vegetative state” and “brain death” will be given an official definition and will be explained. Finally, the Catholic point of view will be given with excerpts from books of St.

In this situation, the power of attorney over the person might feel compelled to make the choice. This following excerpt is an example of the Catholic Teaching against active euthanasia:
“The request which arises from the human heart in the supreme confrontation with suffering and death, especially when faced with the temptation to give up in utter desperation, is above all a request for companionship, sympathy and support in the time of trial. It is a plea for help to keep on hoping when all human hopes fail.” (67)
Suffering is a part of the human life and the person doesn’t have to go through it alone. This excerpt further proves how the Church sees that one ending another’s life when the situation seems hopeless is a cry for help, and the Church is more than willing to give them love and spiritual guidance.
The following excerpt is from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Services and is an example of passive