As medical and technological advances continue to raise new ethical questions, CHA’s ethics expertise helps member ministries navigate these complexities in alignment with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and Church teaching and our shared commitment to upholding human dignity, promoting the common good, and providing whole-person care.
The Ethical and Religious Directives: Annotations by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
This publication from the Catholic Health Association incorporates the original text of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services alongside annotations from ethicists throughout the Catholic health care ministry. Annotations include commentary, literature, and links to online articles that can help guide your understanding of this crucial document. Presented in simple top-to-bottom alignment with the original text, The Ethical and Religious Directives: Annotations by the Catholic Health Association of the United States is a must-have resource for any heath care facility or system looking to carry on Jesus’ loving ministry now and into the future.Since their initial conception in 1948, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services – commonly referred to as the ERDs – have served as a moral compass for Catholic health care. Grounded in important aspects of Catholic Social Teaching such as the inherent dignity of all people and the common good, the ERDs have long served as a critical document when facing emerging dilemmas and questions facing the ministry regarding social justice, technology, etc.
Decision Making Informed by Discernment
This discernment guide is a companion to a series of resources from CHA to guide and support leaders in their critical responsibilities to advance and safeguard the health ministry of the Catholic Church. We hope this guide will help foster greater clarity and effectiveness in strategic decision-making in considering the impact of potential decisions on the Catholic identity and mission of organizations in service to the common good.
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Formal Discernment Process Flyer
This discernment guide is a companion to a series of resources from the Catholic Health Association of the United States to guide and support leaders in their critical responsibilities to advance and safeguard the health ministry of the Catholic Church. We hope this guide will help foster greater clarity and effectiveness in strategic decision-making in considering the impact of potential decisions on the Catholic identity and mission of organizations in service to the common good.
Center for Theology & Ethics in Catholic Health
Ethics Mobile App
- Complete searchable version of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services
- Glossary of ethics terms
- Knowledge base of resources
Season 5: Episode 6 - Theology, Artificial Intelligence, and Catholic Health Care
As artificial intelligence is implemented into more and more aspects of health care, it can be difficult to keep up with the varying ethical considerations that arise. If Catholic health care is to thrive in this new era of technology, a robust theological perspective is necessary.
Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, returns to Health Calls to discuss how Catholic health providers can find theological guidance and ethical clarity on technological questions. He discusses Pope Francis’s perspective on AI, why human empathy is crucial, and why efficiency and profit cannot be the ministry’s ultimate goals.
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Season 3: Episode 6 - Health Care Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is changing the world with every passing day, especially in the health care industry. But are we correct to trust that machine learning can effectively do the work needed and will A.I. prevent harm or perpetuate it?
CHA Senior Director of Public Policy Kathy Curran and Michael Miller, System Vice President of Mission and Ethics at SSM Health, discuss ethical concerns that arise from AI use, including complex power dynamics, data privacy and how computers can contribute to systemic racism and inequity.