Why I Want No Clergy Present by my Death Bed

While the Vatican is suffering from a loss of funds, it still has people being paid to hold meeting and write positions on topics that will invade the privacy of individuals. Recently released was a paper outlining in detail when water and food could be denied a person with no chance of recovery or survival. This all comes down to a belief that clergy can figure out precisely what is sometimes called "laws of nature" or what it calls "natural law." Perhaps there was a time when this concept had meaning but as technology developed things got thorny. The Vatican could save money and make friends by finding the exit door to this room.

The "Natural Law" rule seems to be you are not allowed to die unless your body quits working. Allowing death by withholding meds, machines and water is not allowed even for a long vegetative state. The new rules issued by the Vatican says the person's wishes need to be considered but goes onto the old cruel rules. I think the Vatican would have no position on this were is not for the profit center, abortion.

Perhaps few remember the case of Terri Schiavo. Due to an illness, she entered a vegetative state in the 1990's. Her husband was her legal guardian and said her wishes were to not live on in such a condition. Her parents, however, for whatever reason went to court to try to prevent pulling the plug on the machines that kept her alive. It took seven years before the husband prevailed and she was allowed to die. 

This is, of course, an unpleasant topic. Each person, however, needs to guard his/her circumstances so she is not caught in a web of religious nonsense.