Pope Leo’s latest encyclical, Humanitas Magnifica, says, “When efficiency becomes the ultimate measure of value, human beings are tempted to see themselves as a project to be optimized rather than as persons called to relationship and communion.” This is crystal clear in terms of Euthanasia. The desire to artificially end someone’s life is at best a false mercy and at worse an apathetic desire to free a bed.
I love Capitalism, but one of the dangers of the utilitarian mindset is to see humans as objects to be optimized. We think in terms of cost and benefit and marginalize returns. The human life is reduced to an equation of how much value can someone produce in society? This mentality is poisonous to the average catholic. We are called to show dignity and respect to all people in all stages of life. From womb to tomb.
The meritocracy aspect of Capitalism says those who can make money are superior to those who cannot. Consequently, men who are able to labor in lucrative albeit dangerous industries would seem more valuable then men who could not. Women and children who can’t contribute to the insatiable greed of capitalism are considered to be annoyances at best. Therefore, we have children anxiously trying to prove their worth in academics or sports. Or we have women willing to sacrifice family and friends to enter the C-suite. We also have men willing to sell their soul and other people’s souls as proof that they can “keep up.”
The ultimate equalizer is death. The end of life waits for everyone. No matter how smart, fast, strong, efficient, industrious, ambitious, conniving, or charismatic one day our heart will no long pump blood through our bodies. A good portion of life is spent ignoring death and living as if we will never die. However, once the pain and suffering of decay is experienced, a change of attitude happens. We wish death would speed up.
Euthanasia is artificially bringing the end to a life. The motivation for this can vary. The patient could have no love ones and see no pleasure possible in remaining alive. The patient’s cost of care is astronomical and they wish not to burden the next generation with debt. The loved ones only see suffering and can’t see any good in continuing the suffering. After a life keep death at arms reach, some people dive straight the dark unknown.
The thing about Euthanasia is that it is incredibly efficient. It makes a lot of sense and for that reason I am terrified that it will become more popular. Governor Pritzker of Illinois signed a bill to expand “end-of-life” options. The measure spares people from costs, suffering, and brings certainty to an uncertain situation. It keeps cost low and maximizes the benefits. Capitalism would be proud.
Euthanasia is a topic where the Church is in drastic opposition to earthly logic. The Catholic Church does no favor to its reputation for being calloused and cold hearted. Why would suffering be good? Why should someone wait to die when they already been told by doctors they won’t live much longer? In a world where the medical technology can artificially prolong life, when do we pull the plug?
The Catholic Church is not against death, because death is not the enemy. Jesus Christ conquered death and has used it as a vehicle so that we may inherit eternal life for those who cooperate with God’s grace. Having the body naturally surrender under the weight of sickness is not euthanasia. We are mortal beings destined to die. Euthanasia is artificially bringing an end to a life that deserve a chance to continue.
The Catholic Church takes the dignity of life seriously. We believe existence is more good than non-existence. A person that is born crippled, disabled, and dependent would be discarded by Capitalism without any remorse. The Catholic Church says even that life which cannot provide value to society is better than non-existence. We have a God of the living not of the dead. The Lord gives and taketh away as He sees fit.
The hard part is allowing for the possibility that the pain in our last moments is better than opting to end our life earlier. Here I am writing in healthy mind and body. I have my own experiences with death and suffering, but that is not my experience in the current moment. Some people struggle for years with their own diseases or ailments or with the condition of their loved ones. Most people can handle a temporary suffering if they know how long it will last. But a chronic condition that enslaves the future of any other possibilities is a tough pill to swallow. Euthanasia becomes more and more tempting if those last moments can come just a bit sooner.
The Catholic Church is against euthanasia. The time spent in suffering is a time to grow closer to Jesus. Any grudges or broken relationships are given a chance to heal. Any need to pay for sins is being done in real time while the person still is able to accept the salvation granted by the Cross. The financial cost of waiting to a natural end of life ought to give testimony to how valuable the human life is. By the logic of Capitalism, euthanasia is the best option. God doesn’t play by the rules of Capitalism or any earthly system, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.” (1 Corinthians 1:25″
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