As ‘right to die’ gains more acceptance, a scholar of Catholicism explains the position of the Catholic Church

As ‘right to die’ gains more acceptance, a scholar of Catholicism explains the position of the Catholic Church 
The Conversation; by Mathew Schmalz; 3/31/25 
An individual’s “right to die” is becoming more accepted across the globe. ... Assisted suicide is now permitted in 10 U.S. states and in Washington. In 2025, five more states are set to consider “right to die” legislation. The “right to die” can refer to several means of dying. ... [Descriptions of terms "right to die," "euthanasia," "assisted suicide/dying."] ...

• The right-to-die debate: Advocates of a person’s right to die argue that individuals should make their own end-of-life decisions because it is their life – and their death. Advocates also maintain that euthanasia and assisted suicide not only prevent further suffering, but also safeguard an individual’s dignity by avoiding senseless pain and severely diminished quality of life. ... But as a scholar of Catholic thought and practice, I also recognize that the Catholic position is a nuanced one. It opposes euthanasia and assisted dying, but it does not support extraordinary or disproportionate treatments when unavoidable death is close at hand. ...
• Given the Catholic church’s stand against assisted suicide and euthanasia, it might seem surprising that the church does allow refusing “overzealous” treatments that prolong suffering in the face of unavoidable death. ...
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