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"The sick person in a 'vegetative state', awaiting recovery or a natural end, still has the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.), and to the prevention of complications related to his confinement to bed. He also has the right to appropriate rehabilitative care and to be monitored for clinical signs of eventual recovery".
It has long been rumored — and denied officially by the Vatican — that the pontiff wrote a secret letter, a kind of living will, that provides for his abdication in case of severe mental incapacitation.
Originally posted by Nygdan
Even a mentally incompetent pope can still perform the real duties, that of resolving theological dilemmas by acting as a mouthpeice for god. Surely, a divine god can make a comatose pope speak, or even get thru mental incompetence and dementia. Indeed, the church would have to assume that that is happening even if he goes stark raving mad.
Originally posted by HowardRoark
His life would be prolonged through an act of choice by a man.
from the link above
The church's Code of Canon Law allows a pope to retire, but its wording is complicated. The pontiff must make the decision "freely" with a sound mind and with a proper witness.
What if he is not of sound mind? The law does not establish procedures for the mental or sudden physical incapacitation of the pope.
It has long been rumored — and denied officially by the Vatican — that the pontiff wrote a secret letter, a kind of living will, that provides for his abdication in case of severe mental incapacitation. Pope Paul VI, who died in 1978, made similar provisions, though his letter never had to be consulted.
If John Paul has written such a letter, its secrecy will call into question its validity: When was it written? Who witnessed it? What was the pope's state of mind at the time of the writing?
The last pope to willingly step aside was Celestine V in 1294. He decided he wasn't up to the job after five months in office. His controversial decision is said to have earned him a place in Dante's Inferno.
In 1415, Gregory XII was forced to step down to end a schism created by the existence of a rival pope. John Paul worries that a living, retired pope would similarly trigger divided loyalties among the faithful.
I actually cannot fathom why he would not have a DNR, if he truly believes his life is God's will, then leave it up to God.
Originally posted by HowardRoarkit is doubtfull that he has a DNR (do not resussitate) provision in his health care folder.
I do not doubt this, nor do I imagine it is not practiced within the See. There was at least one Pope who abdicated while being sound of mind, and to write a will in the event the pontiff cannot continue his duties if infirmed makes sense and would undoubtedly be recognized. It is said that Peter passed the position over to James while he was alive, hence the precedence.
It has long been rumored — and denied officially by the Vatican — that the pontiff wrote a secret letter, a kind of living will, that provides for his abdication in case of severe mental incapacitation.
Originally posted by SomewhereinBetween
I actually cannot fathom why he would not have a DNR, if he truly believes his life is God's will, then leave it up to God.
Originally posted by HowardRoarkit is doubtfull that he has a DNR (do not resussitate) provision in his health care folder.
"The sick person in a 'vegetative state', awaiting recovery or a natural end, still has the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.), and to the prevention of complications related to his confinement to bed. He also has the right to appropriate rehabilitative care and to be monitored for clinical signs of eventual recovery".
Pope John Paul II, March 20, 2004
I do not know Italian laws, but I can tell you with absolute certainty here in Canada, when it comes to a DNR, it is off the list of requirements to revive the deceased by all means necessary. In other words, at the authorization of the family or a power of attorney, the medical staff is obliged only to exercise medical discipline to keep a living person alive that does not involve the use of machines overriding natural biological functions. Once the person loses that heartbeat or goes brain dead, DNR is enacted. Perhaps this is what you mean by basic health care.
Originally posted by HowardRoarkI probably did not attribute it very well in the first post, but the following was written by the pope:
"The sick person in a 'vegetative state', awaiting recovery or a natural end, still has the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.), and to the prevention of complications related to his confinement to bed. He also has the right to appropriate rehabilitative care and to be monitored for clinical signs of eventual recovery".
Pope John Paul II, March 20, 2004