Evil and Suffering

Question 1

What do Christians believe God and our suffering?

Answer 1

That God understands our suffering. For example, Jesus suffered at the hands of both his friends and enemies.

Question 2

What else do Christians believe about God?

Answer 2

Our God understands what suffering is because he has also suffered in person of Jesus. However, God created people out of love and with freedom of choice. This means that God will not intervene in every case to stop people from suffering.

Question 3

What is the Anointing to the Sick?

Answer 3

The ritual anointing of a sick person with oil

Question 4

Why can only a priest or bishop administer the Anointing of the Sick?

Answer 4

It is associated not only with bodily healing but with forgiveness of sins

Question 5

What does the Holy Spirit do during the Anointing of the Sick?

Answer 5

It renews confidence and faith in God and brings spiritual and even physical strength in an illness

Question 6

What happens first at the Sacrament of the Sick?

Answer 6

The priest greets the person who is sick and blesses them with holy water. The priest reads from scripture and prayers are said.

Question 7

What happens second at the Sacrament of the Sick?

Answer 7

The priests lays his hands on the sick person and the power of the Holy Spirit is called down to heal them.

Question 8

What happens third at the Sacrament of the Sick?

Answer 8

The sick person’s forehead is anointed and their hands with blessed oil.

Question 9

What happens at the end of Sacrament of the Sick?

Answer 9

The priest says a special prayer and they say the Our Father. Holy Communion is given by the priest and a prayer and blessing ends the ceremony.

Question 10

What is shown through the laying on of the hands?

Answer 10

The healing presence of Jesus

Question 11

What is shown through the anointing with blessed oil?

Answer 11

Strength and blessing

Question 12

How does the sacrament heal the sick or dying?

Answer 12

They are given special blessings which helps them to know they are no alone and forgotten. Jesus is with them, loving them and helping them. The anointing calms their mind and their sins are forgiven, they get strength and courage to accept their illness.

Question 13

What is euthanasia?

Answer 13

It is the practice of intentionally ending life to relieve pain and suffering

Question 14

What is active euthanasia?

Answer 14

When a doctor ends a patient’s life by administering a legal injection or any other way

Question 15

What is passive euthanasia?

Answer 15

It is not doing anything to stop the death of a person. It is when a doctor withholds any means in order to prolong the life of a patient

Question 16

What is voluntary euthansia?

Answer 16

Is a patient’s desire to end their life and it is clearly their decision to die

Question 17

What is involuntary euthanasia?

Answer 17

When euthanasia is performed on a person who has not given their consent, either because they don’t want to or can’t

Question 18

What is the Sanctity of Life?

Answer 18

Life is precious because it is a gift from God. God gave us life and only he can take it away.

Question 19

What reasons do the Catholic Church gave for going against euthanasia?

Answer 19

• It is murder and forbidden by God
• Sanctity of Life
• In Genesis, God gave us life
• Life is special and sacred - we are made in the image of God

Question 20

What is hospice?

Answer 20

It cares for people who have illnesses that cannot be cured, then tries to provide a homely atmosphere

Question 21

How do staff help patients?

Answer 21

• They sit with them and talk and listen to them
• Counsellors help the person with the pain in their mind and feelings
• Chaplains help the person with the pain in their spirit
• The doctors and nurses give drugs to the patient to control the pain in their body