Catholic Health Association

Center for Healthcare Ethics, Saint Louis University

End-of-Life Decisions

Loras Bioethics Resource Center

Minnesota Catholic Health Care Directive

National Catholic Bioethics Center

Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy

The Diocese of Saint Cloud maintains the position of Consultant for Healthcare Ethics to assist with information, education, resources, referrals, and consultation on bioethical matters related to the field of health care. The consultant is available to assist healthcare institutions and systems, the clergy of the diocese, other diocesan offices, parishes, organizations, ethics committees, and individual members of the diocese in ethical discernment on questions related to health care and bioethics issues. The consultant also assists other dioceses and the general public at their request.

February 4, 2007

The Minnesota Catholic Health Care Directive

Fr. Tom Knoblach
Consultant for Healthcare Ethics

The national prominence of the Terri Schiavo case and continual progress in the technological capabilities of medical science to prolong life have led to a resurgence in interest in advance directives for health care. These legal instruments have taken various forms since the 1970s and have enjoyed only partial success. But they can be one helpful tool for both families and medical professionals who are regularly faced with the question: "What should we do for this person who is very sick?"  

At their December 6, 2006 meeting, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota approved a "Minnesota Catholic Health Care Directive" (MCHCD). This document is recommended by the bishops as a resource and guide for Catholic persons in our state who wish to prepare an advance directive.