The push to get people to donate their organs and the organs of loved ones is unremitting. We have instructed doctors how to kill through abortion and euthanasia, so why shouldn’t they look upon all of us as bearers of spare parts that irrelevant Christian morality is preventing them from having? Too many “healers” in our society have morphed into something deeply sinister.
Under no circumstances will I be an organ donor upon my demise and I advise everyone who feels likewise to have an advance medical directive signed to that effect, and let your loved ones know your wishes.
Coming soon to NYT Op-Ed page: “Organ Donors are Too Reluctant. We Need a New Definition of Advanced Directives.”
It seems as if medical professionals are addicted to killing infants in the womb, infants alive, the elderly, sick people who happen to be in a coma, and people who do not live “a quality life.” Lord help this crazy, mixed up world of ours, and this profession who thinks it is normal that they can kill people with impunity. The Gospel and the Catholic Church are proved right and holy on daily basis, and that’s why it’s the most hated institution on earth.
I’m going to have to chime in here about advanced directives. Many hospital systems now encourage that and even provide a form. You should never use their form which often defaults to “let the person die.” Even the “do not resuscitate” order is often not consistent with Catholic teaching on end of life issues. When I recently redid my advance directive, I used the National Catholic bioethics Center recommendations on Advanced directives. Many non-catholic lawyers will not take into consideration Church teaching on Advanced directives, so make sure that your lawyer does.
I’d also suggest caution when a loved one enters hospice. I’ve had two experiences involving hospice within the last 2 years. While many hospices are well-intentioned, they sometimes default to “let’s get the person dead as soon as possible.” If at all possible you should demand that the hospice nurses and doctors are Catholic. In my wife’s case we had that and I felt confident in their recommendations. In my mother’s case, when she was discharged from the hospital to hospice at home, they recommended stopping the treatment that she had just received in the hospital for fluid buildup in her lungs. I refused and insisted that the treatment be continued. She lived for another five and a half months and we had many holy faith building moments together.
I’m from a family of doctors, and while you could be certain that the doctors in my father’s generation did everything recently possible to alleviate suffering and prolong life, I don’t think you can assume that anymore. Many have been influenced by government directives and financial incentives.
I checked the organ donor box on my drivers license renewal when I was in my 20s. I was in good health and rode a motorcycle… often not safely. My rationale was if I were killed at least someone may benefit from my heart, kidneys, liver, etc. Thankfully that never happened and now my motorcycle is sold and I am 73. My license still displays the organ donor choice and I am still in pretty good health although I have had kidney stones a few years ago. I don’t know if a 73-year-old has body parts anyone would want.
This seems pertinent.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E_BURzvlI-Q
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When are the powers that (shouldn’t) be going to stop using dystopian novels as how-to books?
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The powers that be redefined marriage as the death of marriage is when love dies. We now have no fault divorce.
Soon we shall have no fault murder.