Catholic Education on Palliative Care: Lessons Learned and Observations Made from the Field

Abstract

Subsequent to a narrowly defeated 2012 ballot referendum in Massachusetts that would have legalized physician assisted suicide, the Archdiocese of Boston established a strategic initiative to provide education to all members of its faith community, including lay, clergy and religious, about palliative care and advance care planning. The Archdiocese recognized that palliative care and advance care planning represent the best refutation to the reasons people give for supporting assisted suicide. Individuals associated with the Archdiocesan efforts recognized a lack of familiarity about this model of care for the seriously ill and the benefits it has to offer those affected by serious illness. They also identified suspicion among those who misunderstand it. In response to these problems, experts in the field began a rigorous outreach program. This program offers workshops in parishes, trains volunteers to become parish Palliative Care Resource Groups, and provides information and materials to both Catholic and lay media who serve the Archdiocese. This chapter will explain this model program in the Archdiocese of Boston.