Question arising from an offline discussion

[scholamember]

In a discussion with a friend, the length of life was defined as being from conception to natural death. I expected to be able to find a concise definition of “natural death” somewhere on the site, or in the forums, but did not, but maybe I just didn’t look in the right place.

Help, anyone?

sm

 

[1ke]

What about the term “natural death” is unclear to you?

 

[The_Fool]

The only other case I found, after a quick search, is here.

Natural death
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=138803

The Catechism does not, I believe, spell out what is a natural death, but explains what is not. From what I could discern, “natural death” is death when or around when God plans it in a manner that does not involve someone actively participating.

• gunshot: someone else involved, not natural
• sudden disease: unless someone intentionally infected you, natural
• slow disease(like cancer): natural as long as someone speeding you along.
• suicide: always unnatural… Convincing the Romans to burn you at the stake because you won’t leave the Church counts as them murdering you, not suicide per say(I think).

The tricky part is refusing to take treatment. It’s natural if you decide the trade off, treatment vs. non-treatment, isn’t worth it. However, it’s pretty hard to argue that case if the doctor tells you you have a 90% chance of living to 100, with treatment, and you’re 40. I hope this helped and someone corrects me if I’m wrong somewhere.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

In a discussion with a friend, the length of life was defined as being from conception to natural death. I expected to be able to find a concise definition of “natural death” somewhere on the site, or in the forums, but did not, but maybe I just didn’t look in the right place.

Help, anyone?

sm

The Church generally uses the term “scantity of life”

if you have time read this
vatican.va/edocs/ENG0141/_INDEX.HTM

In the forums they like “culture of death” a reference to abortion plus death penalty