THESE ARE MY BELIEFS AND VALUES ABOUT MY HEALTH CARE
My Wishes
This is what I want my health care agent—or if I have no health care agent, whoever will make decisions regarding my care—
to do if I am unable to make and communicate health care decisions for myself. Most of what I state here is general in nature
since I cannot anticipate all the possible circumstances of a future illness. If I have not given specific instructions, then my
agent must decide consistent with my wishes and beliefs.
As a Catholic, I believe that God created me for eternal life in union with Him. I understand that my life is a precious gift from
God and that this truth should inform all decisions with regards to my health care. I have a duty to preserve my life and to use it
for God’s glory. Suicide, euthanasia, and acts that intentionally and directly would cause my death by deed or omission, are
never morally acceptable. However, I also know that death, being conquered by Christ, need not be resisted by any and every
means and that I may refuse any medical treatment that is excessively burdensome or would only prolong my imminent death.
Those caring for me should avoid doing anything that is contrary to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church
. I ask that deci-
sions be thus made respectful of, and according to, the following principles:
Medical treatments may be withdrawn or avoided if they do not offer a reasonable hope of benefit to me or are excessively
burdensome.
There should be a presumption in favor of providing me with nutrition and hydration if they are of benefit to me. In princi-
ple, there is an obligation to provide food and water (employing medically assisted nutrition and hydration for those who
cannot take food orally) to all patients, including those in chronic and presumably irreversible conditions. Medically assist-
ed nutrition and hydration, however, become morally optional when they cannot reasonably be expected to prolong life,
when they would be excessively burdensome for the patient, or when they would cause significant physical discomfort.
In accord with the teachings of the Church, I have no moral objection to the use of medication or procedures necessary for
my comfort, even if they may indirectly and unintentionally shorten my life.
If my death is imminent, I direct that treatment that will maintain only a precarious and burdensome prolongation of my life
should be withdrawn or avoided, unless those responsible for my care judge at that time that there are special and signifi-
cant reasons why I should continue to receive such treatment.
If I fall terminally ill, I ask that I be told of this so that I might prepare myself for death, and I ask that efforts be made that I
be attended by a Catholic priest and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing, and Eucharist as viaticum.
“My Wishes” in the section above completes my health care directive. □ Yes _________(initials)
□ No, in addition to the “My Wishes” section, above, I would like you to know these further things about me
to help you make decisions about my health care:
Believing none of the following directives conflicts with the teachings of my Catholic faith or the directives listed above, I add
the following directives:
(Please attach extra sheets if needed.)
My goals for my health care: ___________________________________________________________________
My fears about my health care: _________________________________________________________________
My beliefs about when medical interventions to prolong my life are no longer of benefit to me: _______________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My thoughts about how my medical condition might affect my family: ___________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Making an Anatomical Gift (Optional)
So long as it is consistent with Catholic moral teaching, I would like to be an organ donor at the
time of my death. I wish to donate the following (initial one statement):
[ ] Any needed organs and tissue.
[ ] Only the following organs and tissue: _____________________________________________
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