Catholic Health Care Ethics

Chapter 1 The Human person and the Church’s Teaching Authority

A. Life is a Gift from God.

“God created man in his image; in the divine image He created him; male and female he created them.” Gen1:27

This fact of our divine image is what makes us different from the plants and animals.

Humans are gifted with Intellect and Will

Life is a gift – received from another. Parents are intermediate causes, not ultimate cause.

Soul is created by God for eternity, not the parents. Soul created out of nothing, it is what we are.

This soul – spirit within us gives us all the dignity and value

The soul “The inherent dignity and sacredness of human life, rests the principle of medical ethics and morals. That is the reason humans are treated different from animals.” pg 4

Humans owe to each respect and dignity due to the fact that we are gift and endowed with spiritual life.

B. The Body - Soul Unity of the Human Person

The human person is not body taken by itself, nor is it soul taken by itself. It is body and soul together as one.

Too much emphasis on either one leads to a neglect of the other realm of humanity.

At death the soul departs and what is left was a human and is not now human because it lacks the soul which gave it life.

Although the soul exists for a time by itself upon death, it will be reunited with the body upon the final resurrection. Such is the teaching of the Catholic Church.

C. Teaching Authority of the Church.

How do we know what is right and wrong?

We could look to ourselves, and indeed we must form our conscience but in all endeavors we look to the experts.

Jesus left a Church, the 12 apostles and said “ What you bind on earth is bound in heaven, what you loosed on earth is loosed in heaven”

The First Pope was Peter, since then a line of 263 Popes have been anointed representing a direct line back to Jesus.

Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit. I will leave you the Paraclete, who will teach you all things. This is the basis for the teaching authority of the Catholic Church

Its important to remember that the truth doesn’t just rely on authority of the being the successors of Christ, neither on the just the pronouncements of the Bible.

However, the Church relies on right reason that corresponds to the dignity of the human person, and to human nature.

Modern Popes have had to take on the issues of modern times.

Paul VI Human Vitae

John Paul II – Redemptor Hominis

“While technology is good in making human life more secure and enjoyable, it has to submit to the judgment of ethics”

Before making major pronouncements the Church consults theologians, priests and the laity.

Dissent has sometimes occurred on issues. This has many times caused confusion.

Before making major pronouncements the Church consults theologians, priests and the laity.

Dissent has sometimes occurred on issues. This has many times caused confusion.

Chapter 2 The Moral Fonts of Action and Decision Making

A. Human Nature the Basis of Morality

As stated in Chapter 1 our spiritual soul nature is what gives us dignity.

But our soul is made up of two faculties: Intellect and Will.

Intellect is the ability to know and understand what we are going to do.

Will – chooses and elects what we are doing because it is good.

Our intellect and will give a moral dimension to our acts. This is opposed to involuntary acts like walking or sneezing which do not require Intellect and Will.

Every human act is done as an agent of good. Examples…

Every human because they have intellect and will can ask, is what I am doing really a good act?

This dialogue in the mind prior to choice of an act is the moral dialogue.

As regards issue of human well being, there are no morally neutral actions.

B. Structure of the Moral Act

The Structure consists of three aspects: The object, the intention and the circumstances.

The Object of the Act: the specific kind of action or behavior chosen. What is being done? Ex.

The Intention: The meaning or goal behind the actions. The intention answers the question “Why is this being done?”

Circumstances = the manner in which the act is carried out: Time, place, instruments being use.

The Church takes into account all three aspects of an act when making a moral judgment.

If any one of these acts is defective the act could be considered immoral. The Morality of an act is not always black and white. It is complex.

C.The Process of Making a Moral Decision.

Deliberation; not too fast, not too slow if the circumstances require it. Deliberation about the means, and the nature of the object as well as circumstances.

Judgment: Bring the deliberation to a close.

A Choice is made, which eliminates other choice.

Choice depends upon the deliberation or reason. The better the reasoning, the better choice is made.

Chapter 3H Natural Law

Natural Law - in simple terms the use of reason to determine right and wrong of an action. To do good, avoid evil.

Historical Moral Relativism – Every one chooses their own

morality. Really? Objectivity of Natural Law – Life is sacred, has

dignity and must be respected.

Morality is a matter of Choice – not fact. – moral relativism once again.

Natural Law – Saving one's life is good, disease is a corruption. (pg 36) Simple common sense.

Natural Law – asks the question what is the end? What is the goal?

At times there are a conflict of good ends, makes for complicated cases.

A. Universality of Natural Law

“Natural law morality is universal because it is applicable to all rational beings and therefore binding at all times and places.” Pg 37 CHCE

Based on the Dignity of human nature. Lack of compliance does not mean non existence. Universality does not mean lack of change in the

understanding of the law.

B. Natural Law and Medicine

Natural Law has an end the procurement of health. Medicine the means to attain it.

Any means used in medicine that does not procure good health is immoral. Ex. Technology.

Natural Law is based on reason and the dignity of the human person. Not religious directives although they agree with the natural law. Can be followed by all men of good will

Virtue in Bioethics

Following the Law – Following the spirit of the law. The spirit follows the law of Justice, Patience,

kindness, Charity