EUTHANASIA

1. According to the context, the original meaning of the word "euthanasia" is "an easy death, happy and pleasant death without suffering." It comes from the Greek words "eu" meaning good, and "thanatos" meaning death.

2. According to the Church's definition of euthanasia provided in the document, the elements that constitute euthanasia are:

- It may be an action, which means something done to the patient.

- It may also be an omission, which refers to something good that is withheld or is not done for the patient.

- This action or omission directly causes the death of the patient.- the finis operantis meaning the reason of the person doing or omitting the deed is really to kill.

3. The document suggests that suffering can be viewed at different levels:

- On the biological level, physical suffering constitutes a useful warning, which alerts the individual concerned on the possibility of a serious illness.

- On the psychological level, physical suffering helps the sick person and their loved ones accept the coming of death.

- On the spiritual plane, suffering, especially during the last moments of life, has a special place in God's saving plan; it is a way to share in Christ's passion and a union with his redeeming sacrifice.

Based on the context provided, here is a summary:

The Catholic Church's position on euthanasia is that it is morally unacceptable, as it involves directly causing the death of a patient. However, the Church recognizes that alleviating suffering is important, and that the use of pain medication that may unintentionally shorten life is permissible.

The Church teaches that suffering can have spiritual value and should not be avoided at all costs. However, there is no obligation to use all possible medical treatments, especially if they are overly burdensome, risky, or unlikely to be effective. The Church prefers to speak in terms of "proportionate" vs "disproportionate" means of treatment.

If a treatment is considered proportionate, meaning it is not overly burdensome and has a reasonable chance of success, then there is an ethical obligation to provide it. But if a treatment is disproportionate, meaning it is very complex, risky, or unlikely to help, then there is no moral duty to use it. The decision should be made based on the specific circumstances and in consultation with the patient and their loved ones.

Overall, the Church's position is that euthanasia is unacceptable, but that alleviating suffering through proportionate means is morally permissible, and in some cases, even required. The key is to balance the value of suffering with the need to relieve unbearable pain.

the Church teaches in the Declaration on Euthanasia: it is permitted in conscience to refuse forms of treatment that would only prolong a burdensome life. However, from here, there must be a distinction made between cure and care. A disproportionate care is not always necessary. Therefore, in cases, withdrawn, or not a cure applied at all. But, on the other hand, however, is always considered proportionate means. In other words, caring for a patient can never be halted. For example, a terminally ill person must still be given food and normal nursing care. So, while the medicines may be stopped, care should be continually given, Pope St. John Paul II clarified the issue by saying that a terminally ill person always has the right to care. Therefore, he or she must be given food and drink, even if they have to be administered through tubes.

This holds true for patients in a permanent vegetative state (PVS). A PVS person, who, for more than a year, shows no evident sign of self-awareness or awareness of the environment, and seems unable to interact with others or to react to specific stimuli. This is what is called a vegetative state. Therefore, we can say that giving food and drink even via artificial means such as tubes, can never be withdrawn as long as the patient is alive - even if he or she is already in PVS.

Because when disproportionate cure is withdrawn, the person dies due to the illness. When care, consisting of nutrition and hydration, are withdrawn, the person dies because of the omission itself, which is starvation. It is never right to starve a person to death. In his Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life): Hymn to Life, Pope John Paul II emphatically states that the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person. Euthanasia is wrong and immoral because it infringes on the absolute right of God over human life. Only God can determine when human life should end.