Australia’s Catholic bishops have released a Companion Guide to support and assist Catholics facing challenging circumstances at the end of life. It provides access to compassionate and relevant pastoral advice and spiritual support for carers, chaplains, family and friends of the sick and dying.

The Companion Guide has been written to help Catholics to reflect and learn from To Witness and to Accompany with Christian Hope, a document endorsed by the bishops in November 2023, in the wake of the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation in all Australian states.

“The Church continues to respect the dignity of the person especially when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Bishop Tim Harris, the bishop delegate for the Euthanasia Taskforce.

To prepare the original document, the bishops worked with the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and consulted widely in Australia, including with religious leaders and medical professionals.

Catholic Health Australia, the peak body representing 80 public and private hospitals and 350 aged-care facilities, says governments must invest more in palliative care services.

“When it comes to end-of-life, our members choose to specialise in palliative care,” said CEO Jason Kara.

“We know that a large majority of Australians support government investment in palliative care, but chronic funding shortfalls are limiting access to quality care particularly in rural and regional locations.

“Without quality and accessible palliative care, there is a real risk that some patients decide to explore the option of ending their own lives when they may not otherwise have done so.”

One of the many reasons individuals seek out Catholic healthcare services is due to its focus on pastoral care in the form of accompaniment, conversations, prayer and spiritual guidance for patients and their friends and family.

Download the Companion Guide.