St. Thomas More Society Dallas, TX |
model forms for end-of-life issues |
At the Bishop's request, the St. Thomas More Society helped create model forms for living wills ("advance directives") and medical power of attorney that comply with Catholic teaching and Texas law. The Bishop approved this Advance Directive form in 2015 and this Medical Power of Attorney form in 2014. We encourage you to use these forms to handle end-of-life care for Texas residents. We welcome your comments on the forms. |
History of the Bishop's End-of-Life Project:In fall of 2009, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell asked the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Dallas to prepare a model Directive to Physicians (a.k.a "Living Will") and Medical Power of Attorney for use by Texas Catholics. Society President Mark Cronenwett appointed a committee, which prepared drafts and circulated them to other lawyers, physicians, and ethicists in the field. The committee was chaired by Ellen Eisenlohr Dorn, and its members included Thomas Brandt, Mark Cronenwett, Vince Hess, Kimberly Lawler, and Jeff Turner. The committee's final work was presented to the Bishop on September 1, 2009. The Bishop reviewed these documents, consulted with various advisors, and approved the original forms in December 2010. Due to changes in state legislation, the Bishop has since approved revised forms, which are available in the links above. |