Catholic Advance Directive
Make Your Wishes Known. Choose Someone You Trust.
A serious illness or medical emergency can leave your family facing difficult decisions at a difficult time.
A Catholic Advance Directive allows you to put your wishes in writing and name someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.
The Catholic Declaration for Health Care Decision Making, provided by the Maryland Catholic Conference, helps you prepare for those decisions in a way that reflects both Maryland law and Catholic teaching.
What This Document Helps You Do
With the Catholic Advance Directive, you can:
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Name a health care agent to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself.
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Name an alternate health care agent in case your first choice is unavailable.
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Give guidance about the medical care and treatment you would want.
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Express your wishes concerning nutrition, hydration, pain management, and end-of-life care.
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Request Catholic spiritual and sacramental care during serious illness.
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Direct that decisions about your care be made in accordance with Catholic teaching.
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Authorize your health care agent to receive medical information necessary to help make decisions for you.
1. Read the Guide
Our Completing Your Catholic Advance Directive Guide walks you through the document, explains the major decisions you will be asked to make, and helps you think about whom you should choose as your health care agent.
2. Complete the Official Directive
When you are ready, download and complete the Catholic Declaration for Health Care Decision Making from the Maryland Catholic Conference.
3. Talk About Your Decisions
Completing the document is only part of the process. Talk with the person you have chosen as your health care agent so they understand your wishes and your Catholic values. It can also be helpful to discuss your plans with your family, physician, and parish priest.
4. Make Sure It Can Be Found
After the document is properly completed and signed, provide copies to the people who may need it, particularly your health care agent and physician. Keep your own copy somewhere accessible.
A Catholic approach to health care planning
The Church teaches us to respect the gift and dignity of human life while recognizing that we are not morally required to pursue every possible medical treatment regardless of its benefit or burden. Thoughtful planning can help those who care for us make difficult decisions with greater clarity, confidence, and faith.