Bioethics Documents (Catholic Church)

Bioethics Documents (Catholic Church)

This page contains links to Catholic Church documents on various questions of bioethics, located principally on websites of Catholic Health Australia and the Vatican. New documents will be added from time to time.

Useful Links

SCDF (2020) : Note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines (21 December 2020)

SCDF (2020) : Letter Samaritanus bonus on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life (14 July 2020)

SCDF (2018) : Response to a question on the liceity of a hysterectomy in certain cases (10 December 2018)

SCDF (2009) : Clarification on procured abortion, July 11, 2009

SCDF (2008) : Instruction Dignitas personae On Certain Bioethical Questions

SCDF (2007) : Responses to Certain Questions Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration

SCDF (1993) : Responses to Questions concerning Uterine Isolation and Related Matters

SCDF (1987) : Instruction Donum vitae On Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation

SCDF (1980) : Declaration Jura et bona On Euthanasia

SCDF (1975) : Declaration Persona humana On Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics

SCDF (1974) : Declaration Quaestio de abortu On Procured Abortion

Pontifical Academy for Life (2000) : Respect for the Dignity of the Dying Person

Pontifical Academy for Life (2000) : Declaration on the Production and Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Pontifical Academy for Life (1997) : Reflections on Cloning

Pontifical Academy of Sciences (2008) : Why the Concept of Brain Death is Valid as a Definition of Death

Catholic Health Australia (2001) : Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia

Pope John Paul II (1995) : Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae On the Value and Inviolability of Human Life (click on headings to open)

Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (1995) : The Charter for Health Care Workers (click on headings to open)

Pope John Paul II (2004) : On Providing Nutrition and Hydration to Persons in a Permanently Unconscious State

Pontifical Academy for Life (2004) : On the Dignity of Human Procreation and Reproductive Technologies

Pontifical Academy for Life (2004) : On the Vegetative State

Further Reading

CHA / ACBC (2001) : Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care in Australia 

Catholic Health Australia : Briefing Note on the Obligation to Provide Nutrition and Hydration

Australian Bishops Guide to End-of-Life Decision-Making