The church always respects human life, from the first moment of conception until natural death, and supports ordinary means of preserving life. Nutrition and hydration are considered ordinary means; for if these are removed, the patient would starve to death. So as to the moral question, I support maintaining nutrition and hydration.
As to the political question, the question of the courts, I claim no expertise there; but I urge all those in political life to weigh carefully their responses as to the death penalty. I believe there is a growing consensus against it. While the church on the one hand has always supported the right of the state to take a life for a capitol offense, such as murder, Pope John Paul II, in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," indicates that where bloodless means can protect society, they should always be used. In today's penal system, bloodless means are sufficient to protect society; thus, the state, which is all of us, should not be involved.
This week as Christians, we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior; we speak to all people about reverence for the gift of human life, which we know from faith continues after the grave.
