Ethical and Religious Directives

The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, often called the ERDs or the Directives, is the document that offers moral guidance, drawn from the Catholic Church's theological and moral teachings, on various aspects of health care delivery. The Directives can be found on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

CHA offers a variety of resources to help members of the ministry understand and apply the ERDs through a series of webinars, publications and online resources.

The Ethical and Religious Directives: Annotations by the Catholic Health Association of the United States

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.

ERD Orientation Video (short version)
ERD Orientation Video (long version)
Understanding the ERDs

Understanding and Applying the Ethical and Religious Directives

Based on the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, this resource is designed to help educate ministry health care professionals about important aspects of the Directives in a readily accessible and engaging new format.

Access the online version (member login required)
 

 

Understanding the ERDs - Physicians

Understanding and Applying the Ethical and Religious Directives for Physicians

Designed for individual and group learning, this resource contains video and supporting educational materials to provide physicians with an understanding of the meaning and application of the ERDs in Catholic health care.

Access the online version (member login required)