After the red carpet was rolled up, there was no doubt the overwhelming winner at the recent 2005 Academy Awards was “Million Dollar Baby”. It won best film, best director (Clint Eastwood), best actress (Hillary Swank), and best supporting actor (Morgan Freeman).
Many believers feel this, taken with the little recognition that “The Passion of the Christ” got from Hollywood, is evidence of the culture of death so prevalent in our society.
Eastwood plays Frankie, a gym owner and ex-boxing coach past his prime. Catholic and Irish, Frankie attends Mass regularly and argues with his Priest friend about Church teachings he doesn’t understand, nor does he want to. One day a determined young woman named Maggie (Swank) comes into his life. She wants to be a prize boxer and have Frankie train her. Reluctantly he agrees, and soon they develop a close father-daughter relationship.
She is successful, but during a bout with a notoriously dirty fighter, Maggie receives a cheap shot that ultimately leaves her a quadriplegic, dependent on a respirator to survive. Many sad things happen to her, as you might expect, when she is faced with the physical challenges from her drastically changed life.
But the story really takes a drastic turn when she asks Frankie to end her life. He first resists and seeks the counsel of the priest who warns him not to do this. However, in the end, Frankie goes to Maggie’s room, detaches her respirator, and injects her with an overdose of adrenaline, resulting in her death.
Not surprisingly, there has been controversy over this movie. Many moviegoers went into it thinking it was a sports tale of triumph and resolve, and came out offended. And it is unfortunate that the true teachings of the Catholic faith weren’t expressed in the film. Instead, Catholicism was depicted as unrealistic, unwise and cold when applied to a real life situation. And instead of just removing Maggie’s respirator, Frankie also administered a lethal dose of adrenaline, therefore supporting the pro-euthanasia movement that is active in other countries, and is becoming more active in our nation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2277) explains the implications of euthanasia: “Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.”
As the director, Eastwood could have sent a strong message that handicapped people need our support and assistance. That Maggie’s life was dignified, regardless of her physical nature. That she still had dreams and goals to accomplish, albeit different than what they were before her injury.
Eastwood should have offered himself to her in love and service, not in death. That is not to say that it would have been easy. Love is not always easy. But it is always selfless. Instead, by equating murder with “mercy,” Eastwood sends the message that it is okay to aid in someone’s death when it is done to alleviate suffering. But who’s suffering was he eliminating?
It is our duty as Catholics to share authentic Catholic teachings on end of life issues. This movie provides us with a great teaching opportunity. It is important that others understand that a person has a moral obligation to use “ordinary” or “proportionate” means, but not “extraordinary” or “disproportionate” means, to preserve their life. How these “means” play out is dependent on each individual’s situation.
A breathing tube may be considered an “extraordinary” means of preserving life, or it may be considered “ordinary.” After careful reflection and advisement, and the proper application of ethical guidelines, a respirator can be removed and a person allowed to die of natural causes, without it being suicide or murder. That is not to say that all quadriplegics reliant on a respirator may have it removed. Again, in every case, a separate determination must be made.
Remember, in this discussion, we are talking about removing an intervention – here, the respirator. This is entirely different from administering something that is known to bring about death for that very purpose – like the lethal dose of adrenaline.
As we continue to reflect on Easter, we look to the cross as our example of how we must live our lives. Redemptive suffering is real. Jesus came to teach us this. Suffering always has a purpose. It is not our job to snuff it out any way we can and as quickly as we can. Jesus calls us to greater things. Whatever our cross, we must discern its purpose, and help others to do likewise, so that all may be for His greater good.
And also remember, we are not called to preserve and extend life at all costs, for we are all on a journey. And as Catholics, we recognize that our earthly death can be the gateway to eternal life with the Father.