I don’t know why he’s acting like this is some awful thing. According to the Catechism of the (Roman) Catholic Church:
2276
Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.
2277
Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.
2278
Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.
2279
Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.
2277 seems to be directly contradicted by 2278 and 2279.
The takeaway seems to be that it’s immoral to end someone’s life, although you can stop care if the care is more burdensome than letting nature take its cause. Which would seem to say that they’re alright with people dying on their own, but not actually someone else taking action. But then 2278 also says that it should be the patient’s decision, so presumably the patient can choose to end medical care that is continuing their life which, if you concede to their wishes, would be euthanasia.
Surely if the patient wishes is it and expresses that wish, then it is acceptable. It would only be a problem if the patient was unable to make a decision and someone else decided to end their life. Even if done in good faith.
But that’s hardly a radical viewpoint.It all seems sort of woolly and not very well thought out.
The man deserves praise for seperating his secular role and his personal beliefs.
