• Death (7/7)
• Indulgences (1/7)
• Prayer (3/7)
• Purgatory (2/7)

« Human life is sacred and inviolable, at each of its stages and in every situation. A human being can never lose his dignity, whatever his physical, psychological or interpersonal condition may be. For this reason each dying person deserves and requires the unconditional respect due to each human being. "Human life should be celebrated and exalted never more so than when death approaches and in death itself. Human life should be fully respected, protected and assisted even for those who are experiencing its natural conclusion."
(John Paul II, 25 August 1990). » (Pontifical Academy for Life, The dignity of the dying person, 24-27 February 1999)

During a symposium entitled « Care for the dying, palliative care, euthanasia : how should we approach our death ? » (Institut catholique of Lille, 23 May 2008) Dr Dominique Jacquemin – also a priest and theologian – summarised care for the dying in the following words :

 Replacing the dying person in the centre of his own existence, by re-opening a path of hope and a future ; helping the person to accept the richness of what they are experiencing, even at death’s door.

 Regarding the subject as a living person with a future, even at the end of his life.

 Remaining present to those who suffer most.

 Leaving space for an exchange of words.