Pope refuses hospital - is this not suicide?

He's got a feeding tube and stuff.

Besides, he's the POPE - who else is going to say what constitutes moral/immoral behaviour for members of his faith?

Regardless of religion I think its dam right rude if someone says that another person cant take their own life.
Its their life, if they want to go , let them.

I think you're right, Material Girl.

It's his choice how to spend what could be the final hours and days of his life.

Kind of ironic now isn't it?

Let's impeach him and the papal court.

Edited-Moronic Content

Re: Pope refuses hospital - is this not suicide?


Stretching a fine line I would say. Suicide would be to take a healthy body and purposely destroy it. If the Pope is refusing the hospital he is refusing treatment that would only extend the inevitable. Of course, it is inevitable that we will all die some day, but there IS a difference between natural causes and suicide.

I am not Catholic, but since the Pope is the supreme human authority within their Church, he is responsible for their moral, ethical and spiritual following.

Suicide is a secular concept anyway - many jurisdictions have criminal prohibitions on assisting people to commit suicide. Some used to make it an offence for someone to commit suicide (not many convictions though) and to attempt suicide (some convictions). Its origins lie not so much in canon law but in secular law.

The issue of sustaining or not sustaining life within the teachings of the Catholic Church would be far more complex than secular issues of suicide, or so I would imagine, having no knowledge at all of it.

Suicide has to do with intention, does it not? If the pope believes that no hospital treatment can put off or prevent his death then it is not suicide. This pope has been a reactionary force, not good for the rights of women, gays, the population crisis, etc., but I admire his fortitude and his absolute committment to his role. He has never sought to avoid severe discomfort by putting off his obligations. He was a martyr to his office.

I don't think he hastened his own death by refusing hospitalization. They could bring all the same medical personnel and equipment to him in his quarters...and did. I think that he somehow knew he wasn't going to make it this time (many have similar insight near the end...it's uncanny...I've seen it many times), and he made a decision about where he wanted to die. Like many others, he preferred to die at home. I find nothing questionable about it.

The point is, shouldn't every possible thing have been done to ensure he lives as long as possible, whether he is ready or not? This is what the church expects of everybody else, this was made plain in their position on Terri Schiavo.

sHIAVO CASE WAS two distinct and opposing medical opinions with 2 opposing outcomes. The champion of each side was not the principal party. The pope recognized that his chances by either spiritual means, or a combination of spiritual/ medical interventions was ultimately his choice alone.Each had a basis in belief.

By your definition an early medical intervention would include no smoking or driving as conscious activities because there are chances that suspension of each activity will prolong your life and you would therefore not be guilty of taking your life in an act of "suicide"

The CHURCH didnt take a side on the Shiavo case, individual clergy did. They only spoke for themselves.

Material girl said it just right.

Thanks Farmerman, straight to the heart of the matter as always. Although I did think the church had an official position on Terri...I'm pleased to be wrong about that.

Papal infallibility must be announced up front, and its based solely onfaith and morals. Ive not heard the "I" word used in the Shiavo case. However I did hear dueling neurologists, left v right wing pundits, and several clergy glomming face time on tv. I dont think that the Shiavo case showed a "finest moment" for anyone. It did , however, reinforce the facts that a living will is just a piece of paper that some attorney can twist and destroy if you dont have an agent guarding your wishes.