Question 1

What does the Catholic Church teach about euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church teaches that euthanasia is morally wrong because it involves the deliberate killing of an innocent human being, which violates the sanctity of life. The Catechism (CCC 2277) states that euthanasia is 'a grave violation of the law of God'. However, the Church allows for the refusal of 'aggressive medical treatment' that is burdensome or futile, and permits pain relief even if it may shorten life, as long as the intention is to relieve suffering (principle of double effect).

Question 2

Do Catholics believe in reincarnation?

Accepted Answer

No, Catholics do not believe in reincarnation. The Catholic Church teaches that each person has one life on earth, after which they face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). After death, the soul goes to heaven, hell, or purgatory, and at the end of time, the body will be resurrected and reunited with the soul. Reincarnation is associated with Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, which Catholics do not accept.

Question 3

What is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary means of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Ordinary means are treatments that offer a reasonable hope of benefit and can be used without excessive burden (e.g., antibiotics for an infection). Extraordinary means are treatments that are excessively burdensome, risky, or offer no reasonable hope of benefit (e.g., life support for a patient in a persistent vegetative state). Catholics are morally obliged to use ordinary means but may refuse extraordinary means, as this is not considered euthanasia but acceptance of natural death.

Question 4

How does the Catholic Church view cremation?

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church permits cremation, but it prefers burial as a sign of respect for the body and belief in the resurrection. Since 1963, cremation is allowed as long as it is not chosen for reasons contrary to Christian teaching (e.g., denial of resurrection). The ashes must be buried or placed in a sacred place (e.g., a cemetery), not scattered or kept at home.

Question 5

What is the 'principle of double effect'?

Accepted Answer

The principle of double effect is a moral rule that allows an action that has both a good and a bad effect, provided the good effect is intended and the bad effect is merely foreseen and tolerated. For example, giving high doses of painkillers to a dying patient may hasten death (bad effect), but the intention is to relieve pain (good effect). The action is permissible if the good effect outweighs the bad and the bad effect is not the means to the good.

Question 6

What happens to the soul after death according to Catholicism?

Accepted Answer

According to Catholic teaching, immediately after death the soul undergoes the Particular Judgment. If the soul is perfectly purified, it enters heaven and experiences the beatific vision (seeing God face-to-face). If it is in a state of mortal sin, it goes to hell. If it is not perfectly pure but not in mortal sin, it goes to purgatory for purification before entering heaven. At the end of time, the soul will be reunited with the body in the resurrection.

Component 2 (Route B): Applied Catholic Theology — Theme 1: Life and Death

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Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Religious Studies

Component 1 (Route A): Religious Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World — Theme 1: Issues of Relationships

Component 1 (Route A): Religious Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World — Theme 2: Issues of Life and Death

Component 1 (Route A): Religious Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World — Theme 3: Issues of Good and Evil

Component 1 (Route A): Religious Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World — Theme 4: Issues of Human Rights

How to Revise Component 2 (Route B): Applied Catholic Theology — Theme 1: Life and Death — WJEC GCSE Religious Studies

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