In partnership with the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), the Diocese of Knoxville has added a “Catholic Bioethics—Health Care Information” page to its website with key information and guides.
Parishioners should be directed to this site, not only for information and guides for making medical decisions, but also for important forms such as an advance directive (living will) and assignment of a health-care agent. The site is www.dioknox.org/catholic-bioethics.
For these to be legal documents, all that is needed is the signature of two witnesses (no need to be notarized). These documents are accepted by all hospitals and are to be preferred to those provided by law firms and medical groups that often contain problematic options contrary to the Church’s moral teachings.
The NCBC document, “A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions,” offers an easy-to-understand explanation of the Church’s teachings on advance directives, euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide. The page also provides a general power of attorney form, as well as other information to include funeral planning guides.
For further information, contact Diocese of Knoxville vice chancellor Paul Simoneau at psimoneau@dioknox.org or 865-862-5753.
