Patient Right to Autonomy Act: A Challenge to Catholic Healthcare in Taiwan

Abstract

The Patient Right to Autonomy Act (PAA) of Taiwan came into effect on January 6, 2019. It enables citizens to sign an advance directive on end-of-life care. This Act legally permits one to reject or accept any life-sustaining intervention including artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH). Catholic moral teaching holds that ANH is obligatory and rejection of it amounts to indirect euthanasia, so, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan has released a statement voicing its opposition and urging Catholics not to sign the advance directive and instructing Catholic hospitals not to promote the Act. This paper evaluates the Church’s stand on the Act and suggests that locking both Catholics and Catholic healthcare out of it is not warranted. From a Catholic bioethical perspective, it can be argued that rejection of ANH in certain situations is justifiable and Catholics can sign an advance directive under the Act by choosing an appropriate health-care agent who deals with end-of-life decisions. Catholic healthcare, by offering Advance Care Planning clinics, can play an important role in promoting and defending life and Catholic values.