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Question:
I am trying to find
out some information on Ukrainian Orthodox beliefs on suffering
and end of life care, especially in the hospital setting. If an
adult child of a Ukrainian Orthodox family is on life support
and the prognosis is that the person will be in a persistent
vegetative state, what are the beliefs/concerns the family will
be struggling within the context of their faith?
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Answer:
Very
Rev. Ihor Kutash
kutash@unicorne.org
The question would be to balance
reverence, gratitude and esteem for the gift of life with the conviction
that the end of life on earth is not, in fact, the end of life.
Life is a precious, wonderful gift from God - one which must be valued
and esteemed in all of its manifestations, including ones in which it
must struggle with pain, illness and anguish. Unlike the current
preoccupation with avoidance of pain and suffering, Christians value the
lessons and personal growth frequently associated with enduring
suffering, and helping others with the burdens that they must bear.
On the other hand we do not attempt to stave off death as though it were
the greatest and ultimate tragedy to be encountered by living beings. We
believe that "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by
death, and bestowing life upon (all) those in the tombs".
Consequently we must exercise prayerful discernment and wise reflection
to see which the best course might be in such a predicament as you
describe.
We certainly would not prolong life beyond the point when a person could
no longer breathe for themselves. But neither would we normally withhold
food and liquids even though those would have to be administered
intravenously. As for diagnoses of a "vegetative state", while these
would certainly be taken into account, no one can truly say how things
will go. There are miracles and unforeseen remissions. Also a
"vegetative state" of the body may not be the same for the mind and the
soul which may yet have issues to go through here on earth before entry
into the world beyond earthly life.
We would want to support the sufferer to the greatest extent with our
prayers and expressions of love and caring. We would also be willing to
let him or her depart in peace.
Each case would be dealt with as a unique personal case.
Such are my thoughts on the matter. May God bless and sustain all who
face such trials - they may come, sometimes quite suddenly, upon any one
of us. God will not abandon us - ever.
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