An African-American Roman Catholic approach to end -of -life decisions amidst 21st century medicine

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

منو

" An African-American Roman Catholic approach to end -of -life decisions amidst 21st century medicine "
Isidore Munishi

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	53202
Doc. No	:	TL23156
Call number	:	‭3258633‬
Main Entry	:	Isidore Munishi
Title & Author	:	An African-American Roman Catholic approach to end -of -life decisions amidst 21st century medicine\ Isidore Munishi
College	:	Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology
Date	:	2007
Degree	:	D.Min.
student score	:	2007
Page No	:	195
Abstract	:	The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures are the primary sources of information regarding early synagogue and church theology about end-of-life issues. Catholic theologians since the rediscovery of the writings of Plato and Aristotle have often reflected on this tradition of death and dying by applying Platonic and Aristotelian questions and logic to the discussion. Modern scholarship now tries to use a more scientific, historical, and cultural understanding in its approach to the whole tradition of death and dying. I will provide a summary of several sources of information: scripture, theology, psychology and philosophy, and describe how modern medical health care technology and ethical concepts impacts and contributes to patient/family confusion in making end of-life decisions. I will also summarize the cultural history of African-Americans in the United States. I will then review how these different strands of information impact a Roman Catholic community of African-Americans in the Cleveland Diocese. The closing focus of the project will study how a selected group of African-American Catholics make healthcare decisions. The paper will identify: (1) Who is included in the end-of-life decision-making processes; (2) The fears that make the process difficult; (3) The practical and economic issues that impact those decisions and; (4) What linkage exists between their healthcare decisions and the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Finally, this project seeks to provide some choices that will help African-American Catholics to prepare for the end-of-life by: (1) Aiding them to enter into dialogue with their loved ones about how they want to die; (2) Help them to gain control over their health care decisions by making informed choices regarding the kind of medical treatment they want; (3) Encourage them to become aware that modern medicine and technology have both beneficial and negative effects that they must evaluate before making a decision; (4) Provide education on the advantages of completing Advanced Directives for Healthcare. The remedy to solving most of the African-American Catholic community's end-of-life problems is education. Education will help to eradicate the fears and myths, which hinder discussion between family, friends, and neighbors. Gaining decision-making control over the end-of-life options will help them lose their fear of death and allow them to see the positive aspects of dying, once modern medicine can no longer stop the natural progression towards the dying experience. A strong faith and hope in the future blessings of a happy eternal life in the Kingdom of God, is an integral part of the preparation for a death with comfort and dignity.
Subject	:	Philosophy, religion and theology; Health and environmental sciences; Social sciences; African-American; Catholic; End-of-life; Medicine; African Americans; Theology; Health; 0566:Health; 0469:Theology; 0325:African Americans
Added Entry	:	Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology