Amputations & Any Requirements for Burial?

[Mattapoisett64]

I’m aware of a situation where an individual is refusing permission for his doctors to amputate a diseased leg. The nature of the leg ailment is not life-threatening, but it is disabling. (He would be much more mobile following an amputation and a prosthetic.)

Anyway, he is taking the position with his doctors that: (a) His Catholic Faith forbids amputations; and, (b) the leg would have to be buried with him and if they remove it now they couldn’t guarantee keeping it for that purpose.

I know we are not required to resort to “extreme measures” regarding medical procedures, and since the leg issue isn’t apparently life-threatening, he may be within his rights on that one. But: 2 questions:

(1) If the leg problem WERE to become life-threating, isn’t there a moral requirement to permit the amputation to preserve his life?

(2) Is there a Canon Law or other requirement for burial of an amputated limb when and where the rest of the body is (eventually) interred? And if so, where does this end? A finger? Toe? diseased internal organ? Hoping not . . . .Thanks.

 

[OraEtLabora]

The Catholic faith does not forbid amputation as long as it is for strictly therapeutic medical reasons. Refer to CCC 2297 below.

2297 Kidnapping and hostage taking bring on a reign of terror; by means of threats they subject their victims to intolerable pressures. They are morally wrong. Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity. Torture which uses physical or moral violence to extract confessions, punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity. Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law.

I am not aware of any requirement that an amputated limb be buried with the deceased.

 

[Joe_Ruggieri]

I have a question. Are there any catholic burial regulations regarding an amputated limb when the person is still alive?

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I have a question. Are there any catholic burial regulations regarding an amputated limb when the person is still alive?

Amputated body parts become medical refuse and are disposed of properly according to medical regulations. Usually this means freezing it until it can be cremated and disposed of properly by the pathology staff. However, patients can usually request that it be delivered to a funeral home for cremation and burial. I have never heard of anything specific for Catholics.

 

[1ke]

Anyway, he is taking the position with his doctors that: (a) His Catholic Faith forbids amputations; and, (b) the leg would have to be buried with him and if they remove it now they couldn’t guarantee keeping it for that purpose.

Neither of these things are true.

(1) If the leg problem WERE to become life-threating, isn’t there a moral requirement to permit the amputation to preserve his life?

You are operating under the false impression that the Church does not allow amputations. This is incorrect.

Your friend can refuse such an operation, but not based on any prohibition of the Catholic Church.

(2) Is there a Canon Law or other requirement for burial of an amputated limb when and where the rest of the body is (eventually) interred?

No.

It sounds like he does NOT want to lose his limb, and is therefore grasping at any straw, even ones that are completely untrue, to derail the operation.

 

[1ke]

This is a 5 year old thread.