[Care of the dying].

The way \vc care for the dying is influenced by the cultural, political, and clinical contexts in which we live, as well as by the theological, moral, and pastoral framework we endorse. This document draws on Catholic healthcare tradition to derive an essential perspective as a fundamental resource for caring for the dying in the context of the challenges posed Iry todays society. Dying has become a process, often involving extended technological and managed care, which may be unwanted or eventually unwarranted. The widespread anticipation of dying as a "tortuous" process characterized by extraordinary pain, solitude, and expense is reflected in the increasing public and professional support for physician-assisted suicide as a humane alternative to an institutionally and technologically managed death. I hider all circumstances, the Catholic tradition believes the primary goal in caring for the dying is to help them live well until they die. To do this, an environment needs to be created within our families, our culture, and our healthcare institutions in which the fear of dying does not supersede tinvalues of living. In short, what is needed is an environment hospitable to dying as part of the natural course of human life. Because of the growing movement toward assisted suicide and euthanasia, in 1990 the Catholic Health Association (CHA) convened a group of its members to clarify and extend the insights of Catholic theological teaching to address issues at the end of life. From this effort came the foundational document, Care of the Dying: A Catholic Perspective (CHA, St. Louis, 1993). In this issue, Health Progress presents an excerpt of the first part of that document, "Cultural Context." We will publish excerpts of the other three parts in subsequent issues: "Social and Political Context" in April; "Clinical Context" in May; and "Theological, Moral, and Part I,