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Wisconsin bishops offer end-of-life advice

By Wisconsin Catholic Conference

	Free copies available Because of financial support of the Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Health Association of Wisconsin, a limited number of free copies of the pastoral are available from local diocesan Respect Life offices or from WCC at (608)257-0004 or on the WCC Web site, www.wisconsincatholic.org.

Wisconsin's Catholic bishops on March 20 released the second edition of "Now and at the Hour of Our Death" - their pastoral letter on end of life health care decision-making and advance care planning.

The pastoral voices the bishops' concern and compassion for those facing critical health care decisions, and shares a moral and ethical framework for making such decisions.

"The Conference issued the first edition of this pastoral statement in 2002 and it has proven to be our most frequently requested document," said John Huebscher, WCC executive director. "In the four years since, there is even more interest in the moral questions surrounding death and dying. The bishops want to engage that interest and reissuing the document is an effective way to do that."

The new release was on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus, Husband of the Virgin Mary and Patron of a Happy Death.

"We believe that St. Joseph died in the loving embrace of Mary and Jesus. As followers of Christ, we seek the same embrace, the same comfort, and the same peace in our final hours here on earth," said Milwaukee Abp. Timothy Dolan, WCC president. "Death is not to be feared. We are to rejoice in our destiny, the gift of everlasting life, promised us by Jesus, achieved, not by our efforts, but by his dying and rising."

The pastoral letter opens by acknowledging that advances in medical technology create both opportunities and moral challenges. As medicine continues to strive to preserve human life, scientific progress poses new ethical questions regarding the meaning of life and death.

The letter offers guidance to those who face a serious illness and those who are seeking to prepare in advance for their medical care. It addresses the challenges society faces, including the increasing threat of assisted suicide and euthanasia.

It also provides guidance in church teaching, including the teachings of the late John Paul II, on various life support measures, pain medication and overly aggressive medical treatment.

The bishops also focus on the critical role the faith community can and should play in the care and comfort of the sick and their loved ones. They encourage parishes to work with hospitals and hospices to provide spiritual and emotional support to the dying.

"While modern medicine continues to present us with new technologies, the unwavering moral imperative remains - life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. We cannot seek to bring about our own death or the death of another. However, in seeking to preserve life, we are not obligated to pursue a medical treatment that poses a disproportionate burden relative to the anticipated benefit for those terminally ill and close to death," said Madison Bp. Robert Morlino, WCC vice president. "This revised edition of the original pastoral letter reaffirms our commitment to faithfully and accurately proclaim the church's teaching in these matters."

The bishops stress the importance of contemplating these ethical questions before a crisis occurs and the importance of ongoing moral guidance regarding critical health care decisions. The letter encourages family members to discuss the reality of death with each other.

"You may find it difficult to bring up the subject with your loved ones," the bishops say in the pastoral. "Yet these conversations are vitally important for you and those you love."

The bishops encourage Catholics to use advance care planning and recommend durable power of attorney for health care.

The bishops also focus on the critical role the faith community can and should play in the care and comfort of the sick and their loved ones. They encourage parishes to work with hospitals and hospices to provide spiritual and emotional support to the dying.

"Often when the issue of end of life decision-making is addressed, a great deal of focus is placed on the questions and concerns regarding health care or medical decisions. However, these issues should not overshadow the importance of providing spiritual support to the dying person," they say.

The bishops emphasize that medical decisions have moral dimensions and must affirm our respect for all life and our belief in eternal life.