INTRODUCTION
Catholics, together with many people of good will, recognize the sacredness of
human life from the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Hence,
we expect that every ordinary effort will always be made to preserve and improve life.
Modern medical technology has brought many benefits and has helped many
persons to live life in a more healthy fashion for longer periods of time. It is important,
however, to ensure that medical techniques truly serve the dignity of the human person
and do not unnecessarily prolong the natural death to which God calls each person.
In this regard, one must avoid two extremes:
the euthanasia mentality that wills the death of a person under the guise of
"mercy," and
a technological mentality that prolongs unnecessarily the life of a dying patient.
In our day, there are many attempts to legalize euthanasia. We unalterably
oppose these efforts because we believe that life is God's precious gift and must not
be subjected to deliberate violence or destruction.