It is now well-known that the bishops of Wisconsin have issued a pastoral letter that strongly discourages the use of POLST forms by Catholics and in Catholic hospitals. This letter, "Upholding the Dignity of Human Life," may be accessed at www.minnesotacatholic.org.

Following suit, the bishops of Minnesota have just issued a similar letter in which, after underscoring the sacredness of human life, the Catholic principles for making decisions about end-of-life treatments, and the importance of advance care planning in the form of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, the bishops go on to outline their ethical concerns with the Minnesota POLST form and discourage its use. The entire document may be accessed at www.mncc.org/stewards-of-life/.

Copyright © 2013 CHA. Permission granted to CHA-member organizations and Saint Louis University to copy and distribute for educational purposes. For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3490.