Euthanasia (or mercy killing) involves the suicide or killing of people in a persistent coma, with terminal illness, with severe mental or physical disability, or with great pain. We teach that any active measure to kill a person or to assist them in suicide is the sin of murder.

Difficult questions arise about whether or not to use some medical therapies like chemotherapy, surgery, drugs, and machines that sustain life in a dying body. Questions regarding Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney also are not simple to answer. Caring for dying people and their families is an important ministry of the Church. The tough questions about care at the end of life are handled prayerfully case by case.