Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (7th ed. 2025)

Last week, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a seventh edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services at its November 2025 Plenary Assembly. This edition of the Directives replaces all previous editions.

A new Directive #60 addresses VSED -  

If a patient expresses an intention to commit suicide by Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), he or she should be informed that the Catholic health care service will not facilitate this course of action. Rather, health care professionals should do what they can, in a way that respects the patient’s freedom, to dissuade the patient from this course of action. They should continue to provide appropriate pain management while avoiding immoral cooperation with suicide by VSED. When appropriate, psychiatric care can be recommended. The pastoral care team should be consulted. Appropriate steps should be taken to avoid giving scandal.