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worth noting . . .
worth noting . . .
TO FEED OR NOT TO FEED . . . In medical ethics these days there is much discussion
about whether and when “artificial nutrition and hydration” (i.e., food and
water) can be morally discontinued for comatose and/or dying patients. In this issue Msgr.
George P. Graham addressed this question directly. He presents the opinions of some
ethicists, both Catholic and non-Catholic. He cites the teaching of Pope John Paul II on
this matter and various documents coming from our bishops. He makes a strong and
convincing case that ANH can never be withdrawn to kill, but may be withdrawn when a
patient is clearly dying and the ANH is ineffective (p. 8).
NEWMAN AND THE BISHOPS . . . John Henry Cardinal Newman worked his way into the Church by
study, reflection and prayer. When he became a Catholic he knew very few Catholics. In the
essay in this issue, Fr. George William Rutler of the Archdiocese of New York touches on
Newman’s relations with bishops. In general, they were not very happy. He had
profound respect for them as successors of the Apostles and he was obedient to them, but
for many of them he did not have much admiration. Again and again they crossed him, making
his life very difficult. It is a shame that his great talents were not put to better use
(p. 20).
INCREASE OF SINGLE YOUNG ADULTS . . . The number of single young adults in this country is
growing rapidly. This phenomenon runs parallel to the growing number of couples who live
together without marriage. In this issue Mr. Arthur G. Quinn describes the new
sociological situation. He points out that our Church leaders have not given much thought
to this situation. The author says that there is great pressure on young adults to marry,
both from parents and from friends. One result of this is often hasty and unwise choice of
a marriage partner. The great fear among young adults is, if they marry, they may end up
being divorced. They avoid this by staying single (p. 26).
TOO OLD TO BECOME A PRIEST? . . . You may be surprised to learn that in recent years
hundreds of older men—bachelors, widowers, divorced men—have been ordained to
the priesthood and are now actively involved in parish work. This month I am pleased to be
able to offer you an upbeat article about second-career vocations to the priesthood by Fr.
Joseph C. Frisch, Ph.D., who is himself a busy pastor in the diocese of Winona, Minn. Fr.
Frisch presents the stories of three men, older and successful, who made a dramatic change
in their lives by going to a seminary for delayed vocations (p. 47).—K.B.
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