Advanced Medical Directives

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 4/14/05)

The recent deaths of Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II have increased our awareness of end-of-life situations, which can be both complicated and sensitive and, therefore, for which proper planning and provision should be arranged in advance. For individuals and families, facing a serious illness and even death raises many moral questions. What kind of medical treatment and procedures am I morally bound to accept? What treatments may I forgo? In the event I become incapacitated, who should decide about a course of treatment?

In August of 2002, through the Office of Family Life, our diocese, in consultation with moral theologians and persons involved in the healthcare and legal fields, produced an Advance Medical Directive. Such a document is faithful to Catholic moral principles concerning end-of-life decisions and is legally recognized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Last Saturday, during one of their three regularly scheduled meetings, the members of our Diocesan Pastoral Council discussed in depth the realistic situation involving end-of-life decisions and the various ways in which the Church can assist her people. They proposed as an immediate first-step making more people aware of this Advance Medical Directive originally published in 2002 and inviting people to obtain copies of this document. Moreover, they also proposed that a series of educational seminars be developed and presented in the near future at both the deanery and parish levels. In this way, questions can be answered and issues can be clarified.

Copies of the Advance Medical Directive can be ordered from the Office of Family Life, Diocese of Arlington, Suite 523, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington,Va. 22203. The telephone number is: 703/841-2550 and the e-mail address is: familylife@arlingtondiocese.org. This document can also be ordered through our diocesan website: www.arlingtondiocese.org/offices/advancedmedicaldirective. The offering is $4 per copy if you wish it mailed to you or $2 per copy if you wish to pick up the document yourself. Please make payment by way of a check.

This Advance Medical Directive can ease the spiritual burdens and burdens of conscience that so often arise when dealing with the passage from this life to eternity. This document is another expression of the Church’s maternal concern for those who are seriously ill and their caregivers.

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