over the cuckoo's nest

by Fr.Jerry Pokorsky ( Bio – Article – Email ) | September 5, 2022

The church condemns euthanasia.

[W]There is nothing against life itself: murder of any kind, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, deliberate self-destruction. They harm human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than to those who are injured. Moreover, they are the highest dishonor to the Creator. (Vatican II, gaudium and space27)

Suppose a small group of cardinals succeeds in elevating their favorite candidate to pope in the near future. Let’s call our fictional Pope Juan. Through his ministry, he personally questions the church’s teachings on euthanasia. Our pretend pope is now using the studied ambiguity as a template for overturning the church’s “ban” on euthanasia.

Juan presided over the Synod on the Culture of Life and wrote the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation—Requiem EternamIn a footnote he writes: There are complex situations in which the choice to live in chronic pain becomes humanly impossible and causes greater harm. “

The effect surprises some cardinals. They strive to “clear the disorientation and great confusion” and ask Juan some questions (doubts). They question whether euthanasia is inherently evil according to the Second Vatican Council. Whether staff at euthanasia clinics are “in an objective situation of serious recidivism”. Pope Juan ignores formal questions.

During an onboard interview, Pope Juan explained: The Vatican has reorganized the Pontifical Academy of Life and added a section on euthanasia. The Academy collaborates with the Jack Kevorkian Institute of Palliative Care. Pope Juan mandates global “listening sessions” providing tens of thousands of pages of comments to the Vatican.

German Catholic Church leaders voted overwhelmingly to adopt a draft statement in favor of euthanasia. The proclamation includes a resolution to ensure terminally ill and suicidal people are under God’s blessings. Juan personally nods in approval, but worries that these bishops are acting too quickly because they do not understand the need for the Vatican to ratify their position.

The European cardinals who are committed to organizing a new synod are more shrewd. “I believe that the sociological and scientific basis of this teaching on euthanasia is no longer valid,” said the prelate. “The time has come for a radical revision of the Church’s teaching,” the cardinal said, suggesting that the way Pope Juan spoke of ruthless killing in the past could lead to a change in doctrine. Non-commit until ratification, two steps forward, one step back.

One cardinal sounds the alarm, but avoids criticizing Juan cautiously. Many bishops and Chancellors are horrified, but remain silent. Some pretend that all is well when the pope’s statement is nuanced. I don’t feel safe. Many dioceses have established “mercy killing ministries” to accompany terminally ill patients in anticipation of papal approval.

Pope Juan befriended a prominent Jesuit in his benevolent ministry. The Pope wrote in his letter: It’s gibberish, of course, but it expresses tacit approval.

Pope Juan, Cardinals and Bishops watch the 1975 film during “The Synod to End All Synods” over the cuckoo’s nestA character played by Jack Nicholson plans an escape from a brutal mental institution with his friends. On the day of the flight, he found his friend unresponsive, his body limp, and a lobotomy scar on his forehead. In an act of merciful murder, he chokes him with his pillow and escapes. I don’t have dry eye at home. “Without faith we rule by kindness, and kindness leads to the gas chambers” (Flanery O’Connor).

Participants in the “Synod to End All Synods” vote in favor of euthanasia, and Pope Juan issues a solemn decree containing the following claims: 1) We vouch for Jesus’ exact words I can not do it. 2) So far, the problem of mercy killing has not been able to find a definitive solution in the Church. 3) So mercy killing can be a morally sound decision. 4) Chronic pain impairs quality of life and warrants euthanasia. 5) Mutual death pacts are admirable accompaniments and are encouraged.

Orthodox Catholics suffer. Theologians analyze teachings about infallibility. A few cardinals suggest that Pope Juan’s proclamation automatically excommunicated him. Ordinary and faithful Catholics reject new teachings. Others threaten to leave the church and take their holiness away.

Who will judge? We are Catholics, believing in the Catholic Faith which has been given and received for almost 2000 years.

George Tyrrell SJ (1861—1909) was an Anglo-Irish Catholic priest and a leading modernist theologian and scholar. Tyrrell he became a Jesuit in 1880. He was a central figure in the modernist controversy that raged in his late nineteenth century.

The story goes that during his prime, a group of capuchin brothers attended one of Tyrrell’s popular lectures. Many thought he would succeed the great John Henry Newman. During the speech, a simple capuchin stood up in disgust. he tells his friends: This guy is a maverick! The Jesuits expelled Tyrrell in his 1906, and the Church excommunicated him in his 1908. So are all people born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

The faith of ordinary Catholics should not be underestimated. But it may take time for intellectuals and hierarchies to catch up.

Father.Jerry Pokorsky Priest of Arlington Diocese and Finance Manager of Lincoln Diocese. He is trained in business and accounting and also holds a master’s degree in theology and a master’s degree in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both his two organizations, CREDO and Adoremus, which are deeply involved in full-scale liturgical renewal. He is a regular contributor to many Catholic websites and magazines. See full bio.

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