Withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining treatment according to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church

Abstract

Withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining treatment, especially mechanical ventilation, when it will result inevitable death of the patient, raises disputes and emotions in contemporary moral discourse. The Catholic Church over the centuries has developed specific guidance for ethically problematic situations related to the health and life issues. There are significant number of statements done by Catholic theologians and Church authorities, which are focused on practical solutions associated to the termination of treatment, including removal of respirator.