The Moral Deliberations of 15 Clergy on Suicide and Assisted Death: A Qualitative Study
Given the relationship between moral objections to suicide, physician-assisted suicide (PAS), and euthanasia and religion, it is important to understand under what conditions clergy have moral objections to suicide, ending futile medical treatment, PAS, and euthanasia. This study used thematic analy...
| Published in: | Pastoral psychology |
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| Main Author: | |
| Contributors: | ; ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Springer Science Business Media B. V.
[2017]
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| In: |
Pastoral psychology
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| RelBib Classification: | BH Judaism CA Christianity NCH Medical ethics RB Church office; congregation RG Pastoral care |
| Further subjects: | B
Deliberation
B Assisted Suicide B physician-assisted suicide B RELIGIOUS psychology B Moral objections B Suicide B Clergy B Euthanasia |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Given the relationship between moral objections to suicide, physician-assisted suicide (PAS), and euthanasia and religion, it is important to understand under what conditions clergy have moral objections to suicide, ending futile medical treatment, PAS, and euthanasia. This study used thematic analysis to explore the moral deliberations of 15 clergy and the right- and wrong-making properties of nine death and dying scenarios. Fifteen Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant clergy completed semi-structured interviews. Data analysis generated eight themes: sanctity of life, preservation of the natural course of life, pastoral care, support of the faith community, referral to professional services, end-of-life decision in community, consultation with medical professionals, and a shift to a hopeful narrative. Respondents consistently endorsed the priority of pastoral care, demonstrating a deep concern for the well-being of suffering congregants. In conclusion, respondents were consistent in the application of eight themes to end-of-life scenarios but differed in their approach to the removal of a feeding tube and being present for a PAS death. Every respondent objected to suicide. |
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| ISSN: | 1573-6679 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s11089-016-0744-y |