As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us (2258-2283), human life is sacred from conception to natural death. Deliberately intentionally taking the life of another is a grave moral offense against the 5th commandment. The Church is very clear about abortion and euthanasia being direct attacks against human life. In today's society, it is important to be aware of the dangers and attacks against human life. 

It is important to be prepared, especially when one is making medical decisions or as one is becoming elderly and more frail. Many doctors and medical professionals might even ask if you have a living will or a health care power of attorney.

It is important to have one that is well founded in the Catholic understanding of the human person, otherwise decisions might be based merely on insurance payments or convenience of the caretaker, rather than defending the proper dignity of the person and respecting the sanctity of human life.

Here are some resources from the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania as well as Virginia that could give you some helpful resources. For legal advice, be sure to check with your attorney, but these documents help to clarify the issue and give you a helpful form to create a plan for if a loved one, or you, are in need of an advance directive or a power of attorney.

Many medical decisions are quite complex. It is always good to consult with your parish priest to determine the morality of a particular decision, but hopefully these links will help you in preparing a living will/health care power of attorney/advance medical directive.

Remember: you want a Catholic well formed in the faith who knows you and your situation to be making decisions for you if you are incapable of making decisions yourself. If you are the ​decision maker, you also need to be well formed about what the Church teaches in this area.