ETHICAL ASPECTS OF EUTHANASIA IN THE LIGHT OF
GAUDIUM ET SPES AND EVANGELIUM VITAE
Introduction
From my earliest experiences of visiting the sick and giving the last sacraments to the faithful as a Catholic priest, many times I have wondered if there was something specific in my ministry that I could do to help patients and their families when they have to face the critical moment of death. In addition, having a mother who suffered agonizing pain for nearly six years, both physically and spiritually, from pancreas cancer, I often pondered deeply about the struggles for existence, about the meaning of suffering and about accepting the reality of death. Sometimes, the life full of suffering is so great that it is almost unbearable. Moreover,
GAUDIUM ET SPES AND EVANGELIUM VITAE
Introduction
From my earliest experiences of visiting the sick and giving the last sacraments to the faithful as a Catholic priest, many times I have wondered if there was something specific in my ministry that I could do to help patients and their families when they have to face the critical moment of death. In addition, having a mother who suffered agonizing pain for nearly six years, both physically and spiritually, from pancreas cancer, I often pondered deeply about the struggles for existence, about the meaning of suffering and about accepting the reality of death. Sometimes, the life full of suffering is so great that it is almost unbearable. Moreover,