Suggested Resources for Self-Study
Regarding Assisted Suicide, End-of-Life Decisions, and the Catholic Perspective
In Support of Life, the initiative of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts on assisted suicide and other end of life issues, provides basic, introductory materials geared for all Catholics. A complete list of materials available for lending, along with full-text resources, can be found online at www.macathconf.org. The following materials are recommended for individual self-study or group discussion.
Writings, Books & Study Guides
Read Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), for an overview of the life issues, including assisted suicide and end of life medical decisions, found online at www.vatican.va.
For an excellent study guide, use William F. Maestri, A Guide for the Study of Evangelium Vitae: What the Church Teaches (Daughters of St. Paul). Book versions of both Evangelium Vitae & the Study Guide can be ordered online at www.pauline.org and by phone at 617-522-8911.
See also John Paul II’s encyclical, Salvici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering), also found online at www.vatican.va, and printed by Daughters of St. Paul.
The Catholic Health Association has produced comprehensive training materials for health care personnel, including the book Care of the Dying: A Catholic Perspective. This book provides a good theological, ethical, and medical overview of assisted suicide and other end of life issues. Copies of the book or the complete training packet can be ordered from CHA by calling 1-314-427-2500. Visit the CHA website at www.chausa.org.
Additional Reading
Robert L. Barry, Breaking the Thread of Life: On Rational Suicide (Transaction Publishers 1994), an exhaustive treatment for advanced study of the Church’s position on assisted suicide can be ordered online at www.transactionpub.com, and by phone at 1-888-999-6778 (toll-free in U.S.).
When Death is Sought: Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the Medical Context (New York State Task Force on Life & the Law 1994), the best over-all secular treatment of the issues, is found online at http://www.health.state.ny.us, and the book version can be ordered from Health Research, Inc., phone 1-518-439-7286.
Michael Manning, Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide: Killing or Caring? (Paulist Press 1998), an excellent book summarizing the issues and the Catholic Church’s position, that can be ordered online at www.paulistpress.com, and by phone at 1-800-218-1903.
David Cundiff, Euthanasia Is Not the Answer: A Hospice Physician’s View (Humana Press 1992), an excellent discussion consistent with Catholic teaching about hospice as the positive alternative to assisted suicide, that can be ordered online at www.humanapress.com, and by phone at 1-973- 256-1699.
Videos & Audio Tapes
Watch Affirming Life, a series of 6 half-hour videos featuring interviews of various experts in Massachusetts by Maria Parker, MCC Project Director of In Support of Life. The series was filmed in 1999 and covers the topics of ethics (two videos), law, medicine, personal care, and spiritual concerns, as they relate to end of life issues and the Catholic perspective. Appropriate for general and advanced study. Order by calling Boston Catholic TV at 1-617-965-0050.
Listen to Life at Risk: A Close Look at Assisted Suicide, a series of 12 audio tapes featuring an international array of speakers addressing a broad range of issues. Highly recommended for clergy and others seeking in-depth discussion of the issues. The audio tape series can be ordered from Donehy & Associates at 1-800-371-3404.
Newsletters & Other Resources
Subscribe to Life at Risk: A Chronicle of Euthanasia Trends in America, an excellent newsletter published 10 times a year by the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, National Conference of Catholic Bishops. No charge for subscription; annual donation requested. Order by calling 1-202-541-3070. Visit the NCCB website at www.nccbuscc.org.
The National Catholic Bioethics Center publishes Ethics & Medics, a monthly collection of articles on ethical issues written for health care workers and other professionals, including clergy, interested in medical ethics and the Catholic perspective. The NCBC maintains an extensive research library, provides ethics consultation, and offers seminars on end of life issues and other topics. For more information, go online to www.ncbcenter.org or call 1-617-787-1900.
Another monthly newsletter worth reading is the IAETF Update, published by the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force. Order by calling 1-740-282-3810. See past issues online at www.iaetf.org.
Physicians and attorneys will benefit from subscribing to Issues in Law & Medicine, a scholarly journal covering the assisted suicide, euthanasia, and medical treatment decisionmaking issues. Order by contacting the Publication Office of the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent & Disabled, Inc. at 3 South 6th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807-3510.
The Hospice Federation of Massachusetts provides excellent resources on hospice care, including Choosing Hospice: A Guide to Hospice in Massachusetts for Patients, Family Members and Friends, a pamphlet written in a question and answer format. For more information contact the Federation by going online to www.hospicefed.org or by calling 1-800-962-2973.