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The Euthanasia Debate: Importance of Spiritual Care in End of Life
Benedict Faneye
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5313/2019.12.001
Euthanasia is presented by its advocates as the panacea for all pain and suffering. The terminally ill who struggle with multiple symptoms of their illness were assured of relief, but what that relief translates into is the termination of life in what is known as mercy killing. So, there would be an end to pain and suffering. But, could we conclude there is an end (i.e., termination) to pain and suffering with the advocates of euthanasia when all that are done is taking out the individual who is the subject of that experiential reality and goes beyond that one individual to affecting countless lives? Besides, there are terminally ill people who decide to end their lives but would not have made that choice except for the offer put before them by the euthanasia advocates. However, that very reality is responsible for pain and suffering, either terminal illness or loss persists. It is for this reason that this paper adopts a contrary view from the above. I argue that terminally ill individuals grappling with symptoms of their condition do not need termination of life, but an intervention that strongly underscores being present to the individual in need. In other words, a care-giver must be present before there can be any meaningful care given to the patient. And I am using the pastoral care model in elaborating the notion of presence, as I equally elaborate the notion of healing presence that stresses the spiritual element of the human person whereby through our presence to the other, we thrive in times of adversity and illness by drawing strengths and courage from our connectedness, which is what the presence of pastoral care offers and equally assures the terminally ill in those moments of need.
euthanasia, assisted suicide, healing presence, letting die, pastoral care
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