I have a friend, whose father had a stroke. Then they found out he was filled with cancer, and would not be able to recover from either. They put him in hospice and was given the decision whether to give him a feeding tube. The doctors told them he would never be the same and didn't have long to live. After a family meeting, her mom decided to withhold a feeding tube. He died a week later. Could you explain to me what the church's position is on a feeding tube? I always thought that we should not withhold food and water from anyone at any time. In addition, my friend was upset with one priest who stopped into her father's room and questioned the decision. She told me other priests were in and out of there and none of them said anything. Why wouldn't they, if it is against church teachings?
Thanks,
Kim
Kim,
This is a very complicated issue. I will try to explain it as best as I understand it. Morally it is not permissible to do anything that would directly lead to ones death. However, we are not bound to pursue extraordinary means to preserve one's life especially if it will only prolong the inevitable reality of death. John Paul II declared that food and water, even by a feeding tube, were not extraordinary means of keeping one alive but were rather the most basic means of human care. Therefore, if someone is otherwise not in danger of death, such as in the Terri Schiavo case, it is morally wrong to discontinue their feeding tube. However, if someone is terminally ill and their body is indeed shutting down then it would be permissible to discontinue their feeding tube if in fact that person dies not from the lack of sustenance but rather from their body ceasing to function.
