University symposium tackles complicated end-of-life choices

Published: 2005-10-18

DAYTON, Ohio (CNS) -- As the end of life approaches, who makes decisions about your care and comfort? With advances in technology, how do you now define ordinary or extraordinary measures to sustain life? And will the decisions you make about your life be in harmony with state and federal regulations? Prompted by the Terri Schiavo case in Florida, with the additional goal of advancing discussion and clarity about such issues, the University of Dayton School of Law's 2005 Gilvary Symposium on Law, Religion and Social Justice gathered legal, health and church professionals Oct. 11-12 to discuss "End of Life: Who Decides?" Among the participants was Bill Kurtis, the anchor of A&E's "American Justice" and a former CBS reporter, who talked about how media influences the law. Other topics ranged from information on standards, the Constitution, court decisions and the disabled to the influence of religion. Schiavo's probable legacy will be as a catalyst for much-needed discussion about preparation for death. According to Sister Carol Bauer, a Sister of Charity who is vice president for spiritual effectiveness at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, conversations and commitments about decisions related to treatment are needed most.

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