Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Deb from Springfield posed a question to Father Peter Harman regarding the moral implications of refusing medical treatment when facing a serious illness like cancer. Father Harman addressed this concern by emphasizing two key aspects of faith: the importance of valuing human life and recognizing the reality of death along with the promise of resurrection.

Father Harman explained that, under normal circumstances, individuals should care for their bodies as gifts from God and seek medical assistance to maintain health. He acknowledged that God's influence is present in efforts to alleviate pain, heal diseases, and extend healthy life.

However, he noted that not all medical interventions are morally required or wise. Treatments that are more burdensome than beneficial or unlikely to succeed are not obligatory. He stated, "one may certainly decline treatments when one has been battling a disease and has reached the point where the treatments themselves do not offer significant chance for success but rather more likely extend suffering and only prolong death." Yet, he advised against refusing initial treatments expected to aid bodily function.

Father Harman stressed the importance of distinguishing between accepting death due to natural limitations and actively hastening it. He asserted that while refusing certain treatments is permissible when they merely prolong inevitable death, seeking to hasten death through suicide, murder, euthanasia, or assisted suicide is never legitimate.

Father Peter Harman holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America and serves as pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham. Additionally, he is the bishop’s delegate for healthcare professionals and chaplain for the Springfield Chapter of the Catholic Physician’s Guild/Catholic Medical Association.