Spirituality and Religion

Religion plays a key role in addressing the spiritual, emotional, and psychological concerns that many patients and families hold regarding dying and the kinds of care they value near the end of life. For many people, their faith provides an important perspective on how to address concerns around end-of life care, including the use of palliative care and advance care planning. Yet most religious communities are far from monolithic in how they view the questions that people must grapple with when facing serious illness. Among Catholics, differences exist in the understanding and application of Church teachings within Catholic health care and in the public square.

The Center for Practical Bioethics with the support of Pew Charitable Trusts engaged a small group of Catholic leaders from clinical, clerical, ethical, and theological perspectives in an extended discussion to explore areas of convergence and divergence around palliative care and advance care planning in American society. This steering group independently designed and directed the effort. That initial group also identified an additional two dozen Catholic leaders from diverse professional perspectives, educational backgrounds, and geographic regions to join in the discussion. Working groups were established to focus on three areas: the social responsibility of Catholics with regard to public policy and law, the covenant and contract of the provider-patient relationship, and shared decision making and the Church teachings that inform its process. This report, Pathways to Convergence, reflects the robust conversation at a meeting in which participants engaged in a wide-ranging conversation about many key issues:

Pew and the Center are optimistic that this report may serve as catalyst for continued thoughtful dialogue and collaboration within the Catholic community about ways to improve care and health outcomes for those at the end of life.

Catholic Perspective on Palliative Care (Booklet)

Catholic Perspective on Palliative Care (Manuscript)

Catholic Perspective on Palliative Care (Single Page Layout)

Catholic Perspective on Palliative Care (Spread Layout)