Euthanasia or "Physician Assisted Suicide" threatens the dignity of many of the poor elderly, the disabled and those without adequate health insurance. Catholic social teaching affirms the right of persons not to use extraordinary means to prolong life and, at the same time, rejects active, intentional taking of human life.

The Theological Vision of Life & Death "The Catholic health care ministry faces the reality of death with the confidence of faith. In the face of death—for many, a time when hope seems lost—the church witnesses to her belief that God has created each person for eternal life... The truth that life is a precious gift from God has profound implications for the question of stewardship over human life. We are not the owners of our lives and, hence, do not have absolute power over life. We have a duty to preserve our life and to use for the glory of God, but the duty to preserve our life and to use it for the glory of God, but the duty to preserve life is not absolute..." ERD Part Five, Introduction. "All human beings must live their lives in accordance with God's plan. Life is given to them as a possession which must bear fruit here on earth but which must wait for eternal life to achieve its full and absolute perfection." Euthanasia, CDF, 1980. Embracing Our Dying If those who are dying are embraced by their family and their community, they will not seek death, but will live their last days well, and then accept death when it comes.

San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) is the oldest volunteer crisis line in the United States. Founded in 1963 with the initial focus of providing telephone intervention to people experiencing suicidal crisis, the focus of the agency has gradually shifted from strictly suicide prevention to more general counseling services. Services are provided 24 hours a day by over 150 trained volunteers with the supervision of a small multidisciplinary staff.
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Embracing Our Dying
Included on the site is an overview of Catholic moral theology on death and dying, current medical and hospital practices, the state of the law regarding end-of-life issues, articles of interest, church documents, information on parish nurses, parish health ministry, hospice care and other parish-based services, and answers to frequently asked questions
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California Catholic Conference
National Conference of Catholic Bishops - Pro-Life Secretariat's index to euthanasia-related issues
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Californians Against Assisted Suicide was established to defeat legislation that would legalize assisted suicide in California.
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Priests for Life: We are an officially approved association of Catholic Clergy who give special emphasis to the pro-life teachings of the Church. We offer ongoing assistance to the clergy in addressing the topics of abortion and euthanasia, and training and resources to the entire pro-life movement.
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International Anti-Euthanasia Taskforce - The latest information on public policy, current cases, and updated information on durable power of attorney.
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Wesley J. Smith Piercing the emotionalism, fear mongering, and euphemisms that are the standard fare of the assisted suicide movement, Wesley Smith exposes its attempt to strip the sick and disabled of their dignity. Far from a compassionate answer to suffering, assisted suicide is a new form of oppression.
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Statement on Euthanasia (1991)
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Choosing the Path to Life: A Statement of Concern on Physician-Assisted Suicide
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Nutrition and Hydration: Moral and Pastoral Reflections
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Dying Well, Assisted Suicide and the Law - Cathleen Kaveny
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Killing the Pain, Not the Patient: Palliative Care vs. Assisted Suicide - Richard Doerflinger and Carlos F. Gomez, MD, PhD
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