Catholic Health Care Ethics; A Manual for Ethics Committees, Peter J. Cataldo, PhD, and Albert S. Moraczewski, OP, PhD, STm, editors. Boston, MA, National Catholic Bio Center, 2002. 455 pages, loose-leaf.

This extensive and scholarly text is designed to fully explain the philosophical position on health care that is taken by Catholicism compared with other religions. The various and sundry issues are examined closely and the position of the church is clearly and specifically stated so as to enable all practitioners, who are Catholic, to be fully informed. There are 26 contributors with varying backgrounds. Two of these are registered nurses. In the rich appendix are articles by three popes: the Prolongation of Life by Pope Pius XII (1965), Humanae Vitae on the Regulation of Births by Pope Paul VI (1968), and Evangelism Vitae; The Gospel of Life by Pope John Paul II (1995). Five of the articles in the appendix are statements by the congregation for the doctrine of faith that were issued at various times, each covering an aspect of care based on Catholic conclusions.

The text has six sections: Foundational Principles (3 chapters); Process Topics (3 chapters); Beginning of Life Issues (5 chapters); End of Life Issues (8 chapters); Selected Clinical Issues (5 Chapters); and Institutional Issues (6 chapters). The goal of the text is to try to specifically keep in pace with the rapid and continuing developments in health care occurring in an increasingly complex and ever-changing society. Catholic care givers are confronted with this state of affairs daily and have to be diligent in their adherence to their religious orientation. The position of the Church on the issues involving health care must be clear and understandable to its membership.

Because there are a fairly large number of Catholic health care facilities in which not all the patients nor all the staff are Catholic, there are issues that need constant attention. These will foment tension unless the staff and patients have a clear understanding of the philosophical viewpoints that are conveyed by scholarly efforts such as the one communicated by this and similar texts.

This text will enable all the health practitioners who are Catholic to function in accord with their religious viewpoint. It also will enable non-Catholics to be keenly aware of why there may be variations from Jewish, Protestant, and secular care institutions so that any and all variations in philosophy can be understood.

Given the fairly large population of Roman Catholic citizens in this country the contents of this text enables understanding rather than confrontation. Hence it is helpful in minimizing stress on patients, as well as care givers, to be familiar with the contents of this book.