Integral ecology

The text of the Living Will proposed by the Spanish bishops is as follows

During these days, in which the Spanish bishops have been meeting in their Plenary Assembly, the Episcopal Subcommission for the Family and Defense of Life, the Episcopal Subcommittee for the Family and Defense of Life has submitted to the Assembly a report on euthanasia and living wills and the proposal for a new text of the Declaration of Advance Directives and Advance Directives, which was approved by the Plenary. 

Maria José Atienza-April 23rd, 2021-Reading time: 2 minutes
hospital_palliative_care

The text, which can be used by any person in its entirety or as a model, clearly states the will to receive "adequate care to alleviate pain and suffering; the rejection of "euthanasia or "medically assisted suicide" and also the "abusive and irrational prolongation of my dying process".

Full text of the Living Will

To my family, to the health personnel, to my parish priest or Catholic chaplain:

If the time comes when I am unable to express my will about the medical treatments to be applied to me, I wish and request that this Declaration be considered as a formal expression of my will, assumed in a conscious, responsible and free manner, and that it be respected as a document of advance directives, living will, advance directives or legally recognized equivalent document.

I consider that life in this world is a gift and a blessing from God, but it is not the absolute supreme value. I know that death is inevitable and puts an end to my earthly existence, but from faith I believe that it opens the way to a life that does not end, together with God.

Therefore, I, the undersigned .............................................................................................. (name and surname), of sexo..................................., born on.............................. with date ......................, with DNI or passport nº.................................. and health card or personal identification code nº..........................................., of nationality.........................., with address at...................................................... (city, street, number) and with telephone number .................................,

MANIFESTO

That I have the necessary and sufficient legal capacity to make decisions freely, I act freely in this particular act and I have not been legally incapacitated to grant the same:

I request that, should I become seriously and incurably ill or suffer a serious, chronic and disabling illness or other critical situation; that I be given basic care and appropriate treatment to alleviate pain and suffering; that the aid in dying benefit not be applied to me in any of its forms, be it euthanasia or "medically assisted suicide", nor that my dying process be unreasonably and abusively prolonged.

I also ask for help to assume my own death in a Christian and human way and for this purpose I request the presence of a Catholic priest and that the relevant sacraments be administered to me.

I wish to be able to prepare myself for this final event of my existence, in peace, with the company of my loved ones and the consolation of my Christian faith.

I subscribe to this Declaration after mature reflection. And I ask that those of you who have to take care of me respect my will.

I appoint...................................., DNI ......... , address at ......................... and telephone.............. as my legal representative in the event that I am unable or unwilling to exercise this representation, and I appoint......................................, DNI ......... , address at ......................... and telephone.............. as substitute for this legal representative in the event that I am unable or unwilling to exercise this representation.

I empower these same persons so that, in this case, they may make the pertinent decisions on my behalf.

 If I am pregnant, I ask that the life of my child be respected.

I am aware that I am asking you for a grave and difficult responsibility. It is precisely in order to share it with you and to relieve you of any possible feelings of guilt or doubt that I have written and signed this statement.

Signature: Date: DNI:

Read more
La Brújula Newsletter Leave us your email and receive every week the latest news curated with a catholic point of view.