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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mason, Karen (Author)
Contributors: Kim, Esther (Other) ; Blake Martin, W. (Other) ; Gober, Rashad (Other)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science Business Media B. V. [2017]
In: Pastoral psychology
Year: 2017, Volume: 66, Issue: 3, Pages: 335-351
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)
Description
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.
ISSN:1573-6679
Contains:Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s11089-016-0744-y