Every human life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of love and protection from conception to natural death. Our response to suffering is accompaniment with compassion + care, now and at the hour of our death. We are providing materials to support these options rather than the physician assisted suicide option available in Illinois beginning on Sept. 12, 2026. This option goes directly against our Catholic teaching that every person is deserving of dignity, love and care through every stage of life. The law, known as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, allows certain adults diagnosed with an incurable and irreversible illness and given a prognosis of six months or less to live to request medication intended to end their lives.
Under the law, an eligible person must be at least 18 years old, an Illinois resident and determined to have the mental capacity to make medical decisions. The terminal diagnosis and prognosis must be confirmed by two physicians. The patient must personally make both oral and written requests for the medication; the request cannot be made by a family member, guardian, health care proxy or through an advance directive.
Our Catholic response is different.
When someone is facing serious illness, suffering or the end of life, the answer is not abandonment or hastened death. It is to draw closer to our loved ones.
We are called to accompany those who are suffering, to provide excellent medical care, effective pain management, hospice and palliative care, spiritual support, and the loving presence of family, friends and the Church.
Compassion means suffering with another. Care means remaining with them.
At every stage of life, and especially in its most vulnerable moments, no one should feel that death is the answer to suffering or that their life has become a burden.
Our commitment is simple and unwavering: to love, protect, accompany and care for one another — now and at the hour of our death.
Here are some resources to help you and your family now and during challenging times:
- Frequently Asked Questions about Palliative and Hospice Care (Click HERE)
- Novena (Nine Days of Prayer) to support Care + Compassion, now and at the hour of our death (Click HERE)
- Flyer to share with your family and friends (Click HERE)
- Advanced Care Directives to guide you through your and/or your loved ones health journey (Click HERE)