The Roman Catholic Church on Organ Transplantation1

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Roman Catholic Church on Organ Transplantation1 The Roman Catholic Church on organ transplantation This page was generated automatically upon download from the Globethics.net Library. More information on Globethics.net see https://www.globethics.net. Data and content policy of Globethics.net Library repository see https:// repository.globethics.net/pages/policy Item Type Article Authors Becchi, Paolo Publisher Eubios Ethics Institute Rights With permission of the license/copyright holder Download date 01/10/2021 11:35:53 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/225383 112 Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 18 (July 2008) race, sex, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or informed on the notion of brain death, and they ideology. Complicated textbooks on bioethics or human encourage the organ donation in the name of the rights will not be useful and, instead, we need to devise Christian charity. There are opposition groups to this a special plan, such as the use of videos and picture way of thinking above all among associations with a books. “traditional” background like Famiglia Domani and In conclusion, the ultimate aim of bioethics is to Fiducia or with a dated background like the Centre for protect human rights and, thereby, reduce human Studies “San Pius X”, which is referred to the suffering and tragedy throughout the world. Utilizing fortnightly si si no no or, again, to catholic associations the UDBHR in bioethics education may help people, like Famiglia e civiltà 3 including healthcare professionals, become more The most authoritative opinion, opposite to the sensitive to ethical problems and work towards making acceptance of a cerebral criterion of death, is the one by the world a better place to live for everyone. If we were Joachim Meisner, Cardinal of Cologne (Germany), wise enough, bioethics education with the UDBHR who, both on official pronouncements to the press, and would work to realize the world where no one will be on an article published on an important German killed or suffered. newspaper declares his opposition to the equivalence between brain death and human death. 4 These are References without a doubt minority opinions, which seem to be in 1 Asai and Oe. A valuable up-to-date compendium of bioethical knowledge. Developing World Bioethics Monferrato (Alessandria) 2000, p.496; this definition itself is 2005; 5: 216-220. quite audacious, even though it can be realized from the 2 Jessica Williams, 50 facts that should change the context that Tettamanzi confines himself to adopt the total world. Revised and updated edition. Icon Books Ltd., brain death one. He reminds Elio Sgreccia, who, even if 2007. aware of the voices of dissent regarding that definition, goes 3 Fumiyo Hataya, Discrimination and Hansen’s on declaring that the subject whose cerebral activity disease. Heubonsha, 2006, Tokyo, in Japanese. definitively stopped, is clinically dead, even though „the 4 Masaki Nakamasa, Kiyoshi Uchide, Tsuneo Niki, introduction of methods of reanimation let breathing and “Human Experiments” and Patient’s Jinkaku-Ken, cardiac activity go on working for a while.“ see: E.SGRECCIA, Manuale di bioetica, Milano 2000, vol. I, p. Ochanomizu Shobou, 2003, Tokyo. in Japanese. 692. 5 Umberto Eco, When the other appears on the 3 It’s not accidental that just the associations Famiglia scene. In Five moral piece. Translated from the Italian Domani e Fiducia have organized an international by Alastair McEwen, Harcourt, INC, San Diego, 1997, convention - I was invited to attend with a communication - 19-30. which has been held in Rome on the 25th -26th October 2002, 6 Atsushi Asai and Miki Fukuyama, Toward on the subject Ai confini della vita: scienza, morale e diritto Successful Bioethics Education. In Darryl Macer editor, a confronto. Among the speakers there were Robert Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Bioethics Education. Spaemann and Joseph Seifert. Spaemann’s paper has been UNESCO Bangkok, 2008, in press. published and is entitled La morte della persona e la morte dell’essere umano, in Lepanto 162/2002. The catholic “antimodern” fortnightly of the Center Study “San Pius X” has recently published one of my tributes on the subject see The Roman Catholic Church on P:BECCHI, I morti cerebrali sono veramente morti quando preleviamo i loro organi ?, in si si no no, XXX (June 2004) organ transplantation1 p. 1-6 (for the same newspaper the tribute has been published in Spanish, Portuguese and in French). An English edition of - Paolo Becchi, Ph.D. this article has been published with the title Are the dead Professor, Hofstrasse 9, CH-6003 Luzern really departed when we remove their Organs?, in: EJAIB, 15, 2005, p.25-29. In Italy the most documented criticism on Switzerland equivalence between brain death and actual death from Email: [email protected] catholic point is in the book of the Benedictine oblate U.TOZZINI, Mors tua vita mea. Espianto di organi umani: In Italy some of the most authoritative Roman la morte è un’ opinione?, Napoli, 2000. The paper by Don G. Catholic thinkers2 seem – in my opinion – not well ROTTOLI, La predazione di organi e le ambiguità di Giovanni Paolo II, in La tradizione cattolica, p. 34-41. The text has been recently published in French in a little volume 1 Translated by Drs. Lenny Pittaluga e Rosangela Barcaro: which moves from the same point: F KNITTEL, G. firstly published in the Italian theological review Asprenas, ROTTOLI, MARIE-DOMINIQUE, Que penser des dons vol. 52, 2005, p.389-401. organs ? La “morte cérébrale”. Les prélèvment d’ organs, 2 We consider for example Cardinal Tettamanzi and Avrillè 2005. Monsignor Sgreccia. Dionigi Tettamanzi identifies death 4 See: J. MEISNER, Erklärung des Erzbischofs von Köln zum with come depassé “in which there is no more hope of a beabsichtigen Transplantationsgesetz, Presseamt des restart of social and conscious life (even if the organic Erzbistums Köln, n. 316, 27 September 1996, see also: Wann functions, like breathing and heart-beat, still going)” see: trennen sich Seele und Leib?, in Frankfurter Allgemeine D.TETTAMANZI, Nuova bioetica cristiana, Casale Zeitung, on 25th January 1997. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 18 (July 2008) 113 hard conflict with the official ones. However, if some, treatments, too.” 7 So it could be concluded that the besides quite limited, documents of Magisterium are patient is still alive (or at least he might be) when his examined, the position of Roman Catholic Church is vital functions are kept still long by life support much more complicated than it appears at first sight. system.8 However, switching it off doesn’t mean to kill This is what I am trying to demonstrate with this paper. him, as with this act it is only avoided delaying It’s impossible not to begin with the famous Pope Pius patient’s death. “On this case there is no direct XII’s speech: arrangement of patient’s life, and neither euthanasia “The natural reason and the Christian morality show which could never be legitimate, even though it causes that man (and anyone who has the function to help the the end of blood circulation; the stoppage of the others) have the right and the obligation, in case of a reanimation attempts is only the indirect cause of the serious illness, to resort to the essential treatments to ceasing of life, and in that case double acting principle preserve life and health. This obligation, that he has must be applied.”9 towards himself, towards God and the human society, We can omit here to debate even though there isn’t and more often than not, towards certain persons, (for sure) direct disposition for life, there is not even derives from a good ordered charity, from the euthanasia, (it depends on the idea of euthanasia we submission to the Creator, from the social justice and want to take); and we don’t want to dwell on double from the justice in the strict sense of the word, and also effect doctrine (widely discussed as the previous one from the pity towards his family. But generally it regarding the difference between ordinary and doesn’t oblige to use extraordinary treatments extraordinary means). The crucial passage in Pope’s (according to the circumstances of persons, places, age speech is another one: the patients, whose brain stopped and culture) and this is to say those remedies that don’t completely working (or as Pius XII says patients that impose extraordinary obligation towards themselves are “in a deep unconsciousness”10) are still alive, but and the others.”5 it’s possible to disconnect them from the respirator, Essentially this means that in a situation where, on even before the definitive stoppage of circulation the basis of medical knowledge, any recovery of the voluntarily occurs, when the physician can exclude patient to conscious life is definitively impossible, (the their recovery to conscious life. The Pope is perfectly problem of the persistent vegetative state didn’t yet aware that just the removal of the life support-machine occur), the physician can “remove the ventilation will provoke on this case the ceasing of blood appliance to let the patient, already practically dead, die circulation and then death within few minutes, however in peace.”6 he thinks that it’s not opposed to the principles of “Practically dead” means that in fact the patient isn’t catholic Church, when the physician is sure of the fatal actually dead, but the physician can remove the prognosis of his patient. In a doubtful case, the Pope respirator because it’s an extraordinary mean. wrote: “In the event that an insoluble doubt occurs, you I’m not going to expand on the widely discussed and can resort to presumptions of law and fact.
Recommended publications
  • Volume-Sgreccia-Def.-27.09.12.Pdf
    © 2012 Edizioni Cantagalli S.r.l. – Siena Redazione: Maria Chiara Basile Grafica di copertina: Rinaldo Maria Chiesa Stampato da Edizioni Cantagalli nel settembre 2012 ISBN: 978-88-8272-825-0 INTRODUZIONE Scritti in onore di Elio Sgreccia: una testimonianza culturale di amici- zia, condivisione, gratitudine. Autorevoli studiosi e docenti hanno da subito accolto l’invito dell’As- sociazione Scienza & Vita a contribuire, per le rispettive competenze, con la redazione di articoli il cui significato è immediatamente percepi- bile: rappresentano un omaggio al maestro di bioetica, riconosciuto a livello internazionale, fondatore di una Scuola di alto prestigio e diffuso apprezzamento. Certo, sono tanti coloro che, di pari rilievo accademico ed ecclesiale, avrebbero potuto partecipare a questa iniziativa ma, come facilmente intuibile, si sarebbe dovuto pensare ad un’opera con diversa impostazione editoriale. Raccogliere sinteticamente, nello spazio proprio di un’introduzione, il pensiero di S. Em.za Prof. Elio Sgreccia è compito inesigibile. Si riman- da, pertanto, alla vasta letteratura in merito e ai contributi riportati nel volume. Tuttavia è prioritario rilevare l’orizzonte di senso offerto dalla grande significanza del pensiero e dell’insegnamento di Elio Sgreccia che, giustificati con argomentazioni fondate razionalmente, assicurano la possibilità di declinare virtuosamente scienza e fede. L’antropologia personalista ontologica non è lettura della vita che esclude il confronto e la ricchezza dei contributi di altre conoscenze, come quelle della biomedicina. Tutt’altro. Rappresenta una semantica di verità inclusiva, riconoscibile da ognuno e che – dando ragione della ir- riducibile unicità e intrinseca dignità di ogni uomo – è apertura autentica e rigorosa al dialogo con i vari saperi umani e loro sviluppi.
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy See
    The Holy See ORDINARY PUBLIC CONSISTORY FOR THE CREATION OF NEW CARDINALS ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE NEW CARDINALS, THEIR FAMILIES AND PILGRIMS WHO CAME FOR THE CONSISTORY Paul VI Hall Monday, 22 November 2010 Your Eminences, Dear Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood, Dear Friends, The feelings and emotions we experienced yesterday and the day before, on the occasion of the creation of 24 new Cardinals are still alive in our minds and hearts. They were moments of fervent prayer and profound communion, that we wish to extend today with our hearts filled with gratitude to the Lord who has granted us the joy to live a new page of the history of the Church. Therefore I am pleased to welcome you all today to this simple and family meeting and to address a cordial greeting to the new Cardinals, as well as to their relatives, friends and all those who have accompanied them on this solemn and momentous occasion In Italian: I first greet you dear Italian Cardinals! I greet you, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints; I greet you, Cardinal Francesco Monterisi, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls; I greet you, Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, Major Penitentiary; I greet you, Cardinal Paolo Sardi, Vice-Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church; I greet you, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy; I greet you, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, President of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs of the Holy See; I greet you, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture; I greet you, Cardinal Paolo Romeo, Archbishop of Palermo; I greet you, Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, formerly President of 2 the Pontifical Academy for Life; I greet you Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, formerly Choir Master of the Sistine Chapel Choir.
    [Show full text]
  • Dolentium Hominum N
    DH n.65 ing 1-88 x6 19-09-2007 14:18 Pagina 1 DOLENTIUM HOMINUM N. 65 – Year XXII – No. 2, 2007 JOURNAL OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS (FOR HEALTH PASTORAL CARE) CARDINAL JAVIER LOZANO BARRAGÁN, Editor-in-Chief BISHOP JOSÉ L. REDRADO, O.H., Executive Editor CORRESPONDENTS REV.FELICE RUFFINI, M.I., Associate Editor REV. MATEO BAUTISTA, Bolivia MONSIGNOR J. JAMES CASSIDY, U.S.A. REV.RUDE DELGADO, Spain REV.RAMON FERRERO, Spain REV.BENOIT GOUDOTE, Ivory Coast EDITORIAL BOARD PROFESSOR SALVINO LEONE, Italy REV.JORGE PALENCIA, Mexico REV. CIRO BENEDETTINI REV. GEORGE PEREIRA, India DR. LILIANA BOLIS MRS. AN VERLINDE, Belgium SR.AURELIA CUADRON PROFESSOR ROBERT WALLEY, Canada REV. GIOVANNI D’ERCOLE, F.D.P. DR. MAYA EL-HACHEM REV. GIANFRANCO GRIECO REV. BONIFACIO HONINGS MONSIGNOR JESÚS IRIGOYEN EDITORIAL STAFF REV.JOSEPH JOBLIN REV.VITO MAGNO, R.C.I. DR. COLETTE CHALON DR. DINA NEROZZI-FRAJESE MRS.STEFANIA CASABIANCA DR. FRANCO PLACIDI DR. ANTONELLA FARINA REV.LUCIANO SANDRIN DR. MATTHEW FFORDE MONSIGNOR ITALO TADDEI DR.GUILLERMO QWISTGAARD Editorial and Business Offices: PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS (FOR HEALTH PASTORAL CARE) VATICAN CITY; Tel. 06-6988-3138, 06-6988-4720, 06-6988-4799, Fax: 06-6988-3139 www.healthpastoral.org - e-mail: [email protected] Published three times a year. Subscription rate: € 32 postage included Printed by Editrice VELAR, Gorle (BG) Cover: Glass window Rev. Costantino Ruggeri Poste Italiane s.p.a. Spedizione in Abbonamento Postale - D.L. 353/2003 (conv. In L. 27/02/2004 nº 46) art. 1, comma 2, DCB Roma DH n.65 ing 1-88 x6 19-09-2007 14:18 Pagina 2 Contents 4 Decree 43 Descriptive Report on the Results Apostolic Penitentiary of the Research of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers on Palliative Care XV WORLD DAY OF THE SICK 11 FEBRUARY 2007, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA VII PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE PONTIFICAL 6 Letter by the Holy Father COUNCIL FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS Benedict XVI 20-21-22 MARCH 2007 7 Account of the 54 Address of Homage XV World Day of the Sick H.Em.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catholic Reflects on Dialogue in the Abortion Debate Joseph Tham* School of Bioethics, Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, Rome, Italy
    l Resea ica rc in h l & Tham, J Clin Res Bioeth 2014, 5:1 C f B Journal of o i o l e a t DOI: 10.4172/2155-9627.1000168 h n r i c u s o J Clinical Research & Bioethics ISSN: 2155-9627 Review Article Open Access A Catholic Reflects on Dialogue in the Abortion Debate Joseph Tham* School of Bioethics, Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, Rome, Italy Abstract The recent comments by Pope Francis on abortion have caused a bit of a stir in the media. His nuanced responses are often lost in the media, and also by advocates on both sides of the abortion debate. While the Catholic position against abortion is common knowledge, this does not preclude openness to dialogue. This article looks at some recent attempts at dialogue on the controversial topic of abortion. The first example comes from a book that surveys the public view on abortion that surprisingly finds many areas of common ground. Followed by this is a theological reading of Pope Benedict’s encyclical ‘Charity in truth’ that can be the basis of dialogue between parties with divergent views. A third example refers to a conference in Princeton University three years ago, where I mentioned several points where dialogue could be built. Keywords: Abortion; Catholicism common ground; dialogue; that he is a false prophet using religion for himself… The risk in seeking Caritas in Veritate and finding God in all things, then, is the willingness to explain too much, to say with human certainty and arrogance: ‘God is here.’ We will Introduction find only a god that fits our measure [2].
    [Show full text]
  • THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE | the NATIONAL SEMINARY of the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY of AMERICA The
    THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE | THE NATIONAL SEMINARY OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA the CrossroadsThe Alumni Magazine for Theological College | Fall 2020 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 2020 ORDINATIONS EXTERNAL FORUM IN PASTORAL FORMATION I S. SVLP RI IT A II N I W M A E S S H I N M G V L T L O I N G I S ✣ CONTENTS The Crossroads is published three times a year by the Office of Institutional Ad- vancement of Theological College. It is 02 \\ FROM THE RECTOR distributed via nonprofit mail to alumni, bishops, vocation directors, and friends 03 \\ COMMUNITY NEWS of TC. ORDINATIONS 2020 Farewell to Fr. McBrearity Five deacons and nine alumni priests Rector from TC were ordained between Pastoral Formation: Rev. Dominic Ciriaco, P.S.S. May and August, during this time of 50th Anniversary unique circumstances imposed by the Media & Promotions Managing Editor Bishop Robert Barron: COVID-19 pandemic. Suzanne Tanzi 2020 Alumnus Lifetime Service Award Recipient Contributing Writers Rev. Chris Arockiaraj, P.S.S. • David Birkdale Peter Bui • Vincent Castaldi • Rev. Dominic 08 08 \\ 2020 ORDINATIONS Ciriaco, P.S.S. • Justin Motes Mary Nauman • Jonathan Pham 10 \\ SULPICIAN SPOTLIGHT Nicolas Rapkoch • Charles Silvas Rev. Andrew Szyblewski, P.S.S. 11 \\ SEMINARY LIFE Orientation News Graphic Designer Rebecca Sum Student Government Pastoral Ministry Witness Photography STUDENT GOVERNMENT Vincent Castaldi • Dave Scavone Prayer and Reflection at TC Suzanne Tanzi For the Community Life Committee’s Oktoberfest Fall House Party, seminar- Veterans Day: Ordination Photos ians brought their steins and their wal- One Seminarian’s Story lets for the Social Justice Committee’s Charleston: Doug Deas/The Catholic Focus on External Forum Miscellany fundraiser for a Louisiana family in need.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catholic Reflects on Dialogue in the Abortion Debate Joseph Tham* School of Bioethics, Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, Rome, Italy
    ISSN: 2155-9627 The International Open Access Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics Editor-in-Chief Howard Trachtman Hofstra University School of Medicine, USA Executive Editors George Khushf University of South Carolina, USA Gregory Luke Larkin Yale University School of Medicine, USA David L. Thomas Nova Southeastern University college of Medicine, USA Arnold R. Eiser Drexel University College of Medicine, USA Mohamed Rady Mayo Clinic Hospital, USA Available online at: OMICS Publishing Group (www.omicsonline.org) his article was originally published in a journal by OMICS TPublishing Group, and the attached copy is provided by OMICS Publishing Group for the author’s benefit and for the benefit of the author’s institution, for commercial/research/educational use including without limitation use in instruction at your institution, sending it to specific colleagues that you know, and providing a copy to your institution’s administrator. All other uses, reproduction and distribution, including without limitation commercial reprints, selling or licensing copies or access, or posting on open internet sites, your personal or institution’s website or repository, are requested to cite properly. Digital Object Identifier:http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9627.10001 68 Clinical Research & Tham, J Clin Res Bioeth 2014, 5:1 Bioethics http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9627.1000168 Review Article Open Access A Catholic Reflects on Dialogue in the Abortion Debate Joseph Tham* School of Bioethics, Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, Rome, Italy Abstract The recent comments by Pope Francis on abortion have caused a bit of a stir in the media. His nuanced responses are often lost in the media, and also by advocates on both sides of the abortion debate.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Entire Issue in PDF Format
    ‘That Man Is You!’ Read about this program in our annual Religious Education Supplement, pages 9-12. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com September 12, 2014 Vol. LIV, No. 48 75¢ Pope appoints 14 couples to Caring for the whole person attend Synod of Bishops on family VATICAN CITY (CNS)—More than 250 participants, including 14 married couples from around the world, are expected to attend October’s extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. In addition to 114 presidents of national bishops’ conferences, 13 heads of Eastern Catholic churches and 25 heads of Vatican congregations and councils, the pope appointed 26 synod fathers to take part in the Oct. 5-19 synod. A list of the appointments was released on Sept. 9 by the Vatican. Almost all of the 26 papally appointed voting members are from Europe. Of these, none of Pope Francis the 14 cardinals, Dr. Casey Reising, right, shares a moment of joy with Kim Haley, an office assistant who works in Magnificat Family Medicine, the new Indianapolis eight bishops and medical practice that Reising named to honor the Blessed Mother. (Photo by John Shaughnessy) four priests appointed by the pope is from North America or other English-speaking countries. Some of the papal appointees include Young doctor focuses on patients’ dignity German Cardinal Walter Kasper, Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels, and Italian as she leads Catholic health care group Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, as well as Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, director By John Shaughnessy hands and his feet, to take care of all those learn more about our faith and the of La Civilta Cattolica journal, and I encounter—to really love every person I Church’s beautiful teachings about Msgr.
    [Show full text]
  • Zenit News Agency - the World Seen from Rome 24/4/06 15:01
    Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome 24/4/06 15:01 ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome Code: ZE06031906 Date: 2006-03-19 Doctors and the Challenge of Poverty Interview With Organizer of FIAMC Congress BARCELONA, Spain, MARCH 19, 2006 (Zenit.org).- An international gathering of Catholic physicians will focus on the theme "Catholic Doctors and the Challenge of Poverty in the Era of Globalization," and discuss missionary medicine. This will be the topic of the 22nd Congress of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC), which will be held May 11-14 in Barcelona. In this interview with ZENIT, Dr. José Simón, president of the local organizing committee, discusses the upcoming congress. Q: What are FIAMC's objectives? Simón: The objectives of FIAMC are to coordinate the activities of the associations of the various countries -- some are very large and strong -- to promote the existence of associations where there are none, to collaborate in the development of the medical profession from the perspective of Christian humanism, to foment knowledge of medical ethics and to develop projects of international cooperation in the sense pointed out by Benedict XVI in his encyclical. "Caritas" is a mission proper to the Church, together with the sacraments and the word of God. One of the most genuinely medical forms of working as a team is the development of congresses. In the 22nd international congress, which in addition will be supported by seven parallel symposiums and a great exposition of missionary medicine, we hope that those attending will be formed, establish ties among themselves, pray together and return to their countries of origin with new energies to address the everyday challenges.
    [Show full text]
  • Catholic Teaching Regarding the Legitimacy of Neurological Criteria for the Determination of Death
    Catholic Teaching regarding the Legitimacy of Neurological Criteria for the Determination of Death John M. Haas Abstract. In The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II encouraged organ donation as a genuine act of charity. Some Catholics reject the notion of vital organ transplantation and the use of neurological criteria to determine a donor’s death before organs are extracted. This article reviews Church teaching on the use of neurological criteria for determining death—including statements by three popes, a number of pontifical academies and councils, and the U.S. bishops—to show that Catholics may in good conscience offer the gift of life through the donation of their organs after death as determined by those criteria, and may in good conscience receive such organs. This article is not a defense of the legitimacy of neurological criteria for determining death but rather a presentation of the moral guidance currently offered by the Church on the legitimacy of organ donation after death has been determined by their use. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 11.2 (Summer 2011): 279–299. Blessed Pope John Paul II cautioned against the advances of a “culture of death” in our day and called for countering it by building up a “culture of life.” These are terms which he employed in his great 1995 encyclical The Gospel of Life, and they are such powerful constructs that they soon entered the very language of contem- porary public debate. John M. Haas, PhD, STL, KM, is the president of The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia and a member of the Governing Council of the Pontifical Academy for Life in Rome.
    [Show full text]
  • C:\Aaa-Medicina Y ÛTica
    A life for Bioethics A life for Bioethics* Una vida para la Bioética Paulina Taboada** https://doi.org/10.36105/mye.2020v31n4.02 Abstract The article pays a tribute to Cardenal Elio Sreccia (R.I.P.) through a biographical profile and a brief sketch of the intellectual itinerary that lead him to the proposal of the model of an «ontologically founded personalist bioethics», for which he is widely known as the founder and main transmitter. His personality is described as wise and approachable, who deeply marked the lives of his colla- borators and students. The relevance of his legacy is shown through its wide international diffusion and its potential to enter into a fruitful dialogue with other contemporary bioethical models. Keywords: Bioethics, biomedical ethics, medical ethics, ethicists, personhood. * The article corresponds to a revised version of the text published in: Taboada P. A life for Bioethics. Posthumous tribute to Cardinal Elio Sgreccia (1928-2019). Humanitas. 2019, XCI, pp. 546-559. ** Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chi- le, Santiago, Chile. Email: [email protected]. https://orcid.org/0000-0003- 2803-1282 Reception: June 20, 2020. Acceptance: July 15, 2020. Medicina y Ética - Octubre-Diciembre 2020 - Vol. 31 - Núm. 4 789 P. Taboada Introduction People of the human, intellectual and spiritual stature of Cardinal Elio Sgreccia do not meet every day. Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing him personally experience the admiration and gratitude felt before a great teacher. In fact, «Don Elio» –as he liked to be familiarly called– was very much loved and appreciated by his disciples.
    [Show full text]
  • Lisa Sowle Cahill Resume EDUCATION University of Santa Clara, BA 1970
    1 Lisa Sowle Cahill Resume EDUCATION University of Santa Clara, B.A. 1970 (Theology and English Majors) University of Chicago Divinity School, M.A., 1973; Ph.D. 1976 Area of major study: Christian Theology Areas of minor concentration: Religion and Literature, New Testament Dissertation Director: James M. Gustafson Euthanasia: A Protestant and a Catholic Perspective Readers: Langdon Gilkey, David Tracy ACADEMIC POSITIONS J. Donald Monan, S.J., Professor, Boston College, l996-present Professor of Theology, Boston College, l989-present Associate Professor of Theology, Boston College, 1982-1989 Assistant Professor of Theology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 1976-82 Director of Graduate Programs in Theology, Boston College, 1985-1987, 2001-2005 Instructor in Theology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, 1976 Visiting Scholar, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown Univ., Fall 1986 Visiting Professor of Catholic Theology, Department of Religious Studies, Yale University, Fall 1997. Visiting Professor, Yale Divinity School, Spring 2013 Visiting Professor, Dharmaram College, Bangalore, August 2013 ACADEMIC AND SCHOLARLY INTERESTS Method in theological ethics. New Testament and ethics. Christology and Ethics. Ethics of Sex and Gender. Bioethics. Ethics of war and peacemaking. Social ethics, common good and globalization. Catholic social teaching. Journals and Editorial Roles: Current: Concilium, Board of Directors, 1990-2000, 2005-present Journal of Religious Ethics, Editorial Board, Associate Editor and/or Board of Trustees, 1978- present.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Cover the Catholic Church Contents
    How to Cover the Catholic Church Jerry Filteau with Benedicta Cipolla A resource of the Office of Media Relations United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Executive Editor: Sister Mary Ann Walsh, Director USCCB Office of Media Relations Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, copyright © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017 and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Excerpt from The Documents of Vatican II, Walter M. Abbott, SJ, General Editor, copyright © 1966 by America Press, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2008, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Contents Covering the Vatican Covering the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Covering the Local Church Glossary of Church Terms Resources on the Church Covering the Vatican If you’re reading this, your editor probably just (a) assigned you to cover a papal trip or an event at the Vatican, or (b) asked you to get comments from Rome regarding a local issue in which Holy See policy might come into play. Headed by the pope, the Holy See is the central authority of the Catholic Church. Technically it differs from the Vatican, which refers to the independent state established by the Lateran Pact with Italy in 1929 as Vatican City State, the smallest sovereign nation in the world.
    [Show full text]