Pope in a coma. Who's in charge?

[Andreas_Hofer]

Need a Doctor to chime in on this one.

What constitutes artificial means?

I see an IV as artificial

I see a tube in the mouth or into the stomach as artificial.

If the comatose person does not have the swallowing reflex…

… we are not obliged to keep anyone alive through artificial means. So long as someone, in this case a pope even, is given food, water, hygene, and shelter we have done everything necessary. If he lives, Deo gratias, otherwise nature takes its course.

Actually, we don’t need a doctor to chime in on this one (except maybe a Doctor of the Church, LOL…), as the Church does not rely on the opinions of individuals on a message board to define what constitutes natural or articial means. She has already done that on numerous occasions, including in John Paul II’s *Evangelium Vitae. *Hydration and nourishment in and of themselves, even by an IV, are never considered extraordinary (which is why the Terri Shiavo case was so conspicuous.) Neither is a swallowing reflex in and of itself an indicator.

That is why the Chuch has teachings, to guide us in these difficult decisions. We should study them accordingly.

Chatter163 was right to point out that the Church has already given us guidance on our obligations, but I quoted the first two selections to point out an imprecision in terminology that could have disastrous results. The Church does not limit our obligation at the point of what is “artificial” but at what is “extraordinary.” There is no definitive list of ordinary and extraordinary means, but in the last year or so the Vatican released a document clarifying, in the wake of the Schiavo case, that food and water (even if they must be delivered by IV or tube) are never extraordinary means, as Chatter said.

 

[BenedictMary]

I believe that the camerlengo[sp] (chamberlain) is in charge.

 

[MMLJ]

Ok, here is my opinion, from a realistic point of view. I do not condone such an action, I shudder to even think of it, but if such a situation ever took place, and it looked like the pope could be in a coma for a long period of time, then I can easily forsee that some in the curia might just decide to speed up the natural process, if you know what I mean. It has happened before after all.

No, I do not know what you mean, can you elaborate?

Thank you.

 

[MMLJ]

Exactly. That is why such a situation would probably never take place- those we do not condone active euthanasia, we are not obliged to keep anyone alive through artificial means. So long as someone, in this case a pope even, is given food, water, hygene, and shelter we have done everything necessary. If he lives, Deo gratias, otherwise nature takes its course.

What if the Pope is alive and well, but has Dysphagia, Aphagia, or Achalasia i.e. difficulty or unable to swallow (this of course does happen medically), do you sanction not giving parenteral nutrition?