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.