End of Life

The Latest

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American support for euthanasia based on ‘false dichotomy,’ Catholic researcher says

Aug 13, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

A poll found that 71% support legalized euthanasia in the U.S., but Dr. Scott French believes Americans’ support for euthanasia... Read more

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Disabled Texas woman will not be denied food and water — for now — after judge’s order

Aug 2, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Margaret “Margo” Naranjo, 28, suffered severe brain damage in a 2020 car accident. Read more

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What is ‘green burial’ and does the Catholic Church allow it?

Jun 13, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The practice of “green burials” is growing in popularity including at numerous Catholic cemeteries throughout the United States.  Read more

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Pope Francis to palliative care symposium: Euthanasia is a ‘failure of love’

May 22, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis sent a message to an interfaith symposium on palliative care taking place in Toronto May 21–23. Read more

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Hospice and palliative care: A look at ‘absolutely vital’ end-of-life support

May 19, 2024

By Daniel Payne

In contrast to assisted suicide and euthanasia, services such as palliative care and end-of-life hospice care seek to uphold the... Read more

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Pro-life advocates fight against euthanasia expansions across Canada, Australia

Feb 21, 2024

By Daniel Payne

In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for nearly a decade and in Australia all six of the... Read more

Indi Gregory, born in February and baptized in September, suffers from a rare degenerative mitochondrial disease and has been receiving life-sustaining treatment on a ventilator at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, England.

Pope Francis prays for infant Indi Gregory as life support set to be removed in UK

Nov 11, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is praying for Indi Gregory and her family as the critically ill British infant’s life support is set... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus address on Sept. 24, 2023.

Pope Francis: It’s never ‘too late’ to receive God’s love

Sep 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope spoke one day after he gave a strong condemnation of euthanasia on his return flight from Marseille, France. Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a press conference aboard the papal plane from Marseille to Rome on Sept. 23, 2023, at the conclusion of a two-day visit to the southern French port city to take part in the Mediterranean Encounter, a meeting of young people and bishops.

‘You don’t play with life’: Pope Francis condemns euthanasia, abortion on papal plane

Sep 23, 2023

By CNA Staff

“Neither at the beginning nor at the end. It is not played with!” Pope Francis said on a flight from... Read more

NHS National Health Service sign UK.

UK judge rules seriously ill teen lacks mental competence to seek experimental treatment

Sep 6, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The National Health Service trust’s doctors ruled that she is unable to make decisions for herself and asked the court... Read more

CNA

UK Catholic bishops join other faith leaders to oppose assisted suicide bills

May 24, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

The Catholic bishops of England, Wales, and Scotland issued statements recently opposing assisted suicide for terminally ill people. Read more

Hollie Dance (center left) and Paul Battersbee (center right)), the mother and father of Archie Battersbee, speak to the media as they leave the Royal Courts of Justice on June 29, 2022 in London, England. Archie's parents ultimately lost their legal fight to keep their son on life support. He died on Aug. 6, 2022.

Archie Battersbee, 12, dies after being taken off life support against his parents’ wishes

Aug 7, 2022

By Shannon Mullen

Archie had been in a coma since April when he was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck. Read more

The Four Courts in Dublin, Ireland. Credit: Mariusz Gwizdon/Shutterstock.

Irish Supreme Court: Hospital may withhold treatment of child against parents' wishes

Jan 27, 2021

The Supreme Court of Ireland ruled Friday that a hospital may withhold medical treatment contrary to the wishes of the... Read more

Too few safeguards, opponents of New Zealand euthanasia, assisted suicide bill say

Aug 12, 2020

A New Zealand bill that would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide does not have enough protections against the possible coercion... Read more

Parliament House, Wellington.

New Zealand to hold referendum on euthanasia, assisted suicide

Nov 13, 2019

The New Zealand Parliament voted in favor of legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide Wednesday, sending the bill to a referendum... Read more

Where hospices are at their worst, Christians have a mission

Jul 12, 2019

By Kevin J. Jones

In the wake of terrible conditions of negligence and abuse reported at some U.S. hospice facilities, several Catholic doctors are... Read more

UK court decision will mean vulnerable patients' starvation, critic says

Jul 30, 2018

Brain-damaged patients will be endangered by a U.K. Supreme Court decision making it easier to end their assisted nutrition and... Read more

A hospice that hurried death? Texas courts to weigh criminal charges

May 21, 2018

In a legal case that includes allegations of death-hastening drug use and falsified do-not-resuscitate orders, a former hospice executive has... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 11, 2017.

End of life care must acknowledge our mortality, Francis reminds physicians

Nov 16, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a message to medical professionals Thursday, Pope Francis said that when it comes to end-of-life care, treatments should always... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 28, 2014.

Pope asks for parents' wishes to be respected in Charlie Gard case

Jul 2, 2017

By Elise Harris

Stepping into what has turned out to be a tumultuous legal battle involving a UK couple's push for a say... Read more