Excerpt from THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH on EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia: Definition

An action or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes the death of handicapped, sick, or dying persons - sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of eliminating suffering. Euthanasia violates the fifth commandment of the law of God (2277).

Euthanasia

2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deservespecial respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped tolead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasiaconsists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, ordying persons. It is morally unacceptable.Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causesdeath in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contraryto the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God,his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable. Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.