# Samaritanus bonus

> Letter on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life

**Wikidata**: [Q100743806](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100743806)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/samaritanus-bonus

## Summary
**Samaritanus bonus** is a formal letter issued by the Catholic Church on July 14, 2020, addressing the care of persons in critical and terminal phases of life. Authored by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and signed by Pope Francis, the document explicitly addresses ethical issues surrounding assisted suicide and euthanasia. It serves as a definitive theological and pastoral guide on end-of-life care within the Church's doctrine.

## Key Facts
*   **Title:** Samaritanus bonus
*   **Document Type:** Letter (subclass of document)
*   **Author:** Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
*   **Signatory:** Pope Francis
*   **Publication Date:** July 14, 2020
*   **Main Subject:** Assisted suicide, euthanasia, and care for the critically ill
*   **Wikidata Description:** Letter on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life
*   **Available Languages:** German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese
*   **Official URL (English):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_en.html
*   **Official URL (German):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_ge.html
*   **Official URL (Spanish):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_sp.html
*   **Official URL (French):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_fr.html
*   **Official URL (Italian):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_it.html
*   **Official URL (Polish):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_pl.html
*   **Official URL (Portuguese):** http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_po.html

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of the letter Samaritanus bonus?**
The document serves as a comprehensive guide on the ethical and pastoral care of individuals facing critical illness or the terminal phase of life. It specifically clarifies the Church's stance against assisted suicide and euthanasia while promoting dignified care for the dying.

**Who officially released and signed this document?**
The letter was authored by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and formally signed by Pope Francis. It represents an official teaching of the Catholic Church regarding bioethical issues.

**In which languages can the official text be accessed?**
The document is available in seven official languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese. Each version is hosted on the Vatican's official website with specific language qualifiers.

**What specific ethical topics does the letter address?**
The main subjects covered include the moral implications of assisted suicide and euthanasia. It also details the proper care and support required for persons in critical and terminal phases of life.

## Why It Matters
**Samaritanus bonus** is a critical document for understanding contemporary Catholic bioethics, particularly regarding the sanctity of life at its end stages. By explicitly addressing assisted suicide and euthanasia, it provides a clear doctrinal boundary for medical professionals, families, and clergy navigating end-of-life decisions. The letter reinforces the Church's commitment to palliative care and the inherent dignity of every human person, regardless of their health status. Its issuance in 2020 reflects the Church's ongoing engagement with modern medical challenges and evolving societal attitudes toward death. As a formal letter from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, it carries significant weight in theological discourse and pastoral practice globally.

## Notable For
*   **Specific Ethical Focus:** Uniquely targets the intersection of terminal illness care and the prohibition of assisted suicide/euthanasia.
*   **High-Level Authority:** Issued directly by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and signed by the Pope.
*   **Multilingual Accessibility:** Published simultaneously in seven major languages to ensure global reach.
*   **Contemporary Relevance:** Addresses modern bioethical dilemmas arising from advances in medical technology and changing social norms.
*   **Formal Classification:** Categorized as a "letter" within the broader class of "documents" used for preserving structured information.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
**Samaritanus bonus** is classified as a **letter**, which falls under the broader category of a **document**. In the context of information science, a document is defined as a form for the preservation of structured and identified information. This specific entity functions as a primary object of record within the Catholic Church's archival and legal contexts. It is an information resource that arises from the act of writing and is composed of specific elements including document-type information, communications media, and headings. The letter serves as a structured form of information rather than unstructured data, distinguishing it from generic records.

### Authorship and Publication Details
The document was authored by the **Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith**, the Vatican department responsible for promoting and safeguarding Catholic doctrine. It was officially signed by **Pope Francis**, lending it the highest level of ecclesiastical authority. The publication date is fixed at **July 14, 2020**. The title, *Samaritanus bonus*, references the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, symbolizing care for the suffering. The Wikidata description explicitly defines it as a "Letter on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life."

### Subject Matter and Ethical Stance
The **main subject** of the letter encompasses **assisted suicide** and **euthanasia**. It provides a detailed theological and ethical analysis of these practices, reaffirming the Church's opposition to them. Simultaneously, the document outlines the duties of care for persons in **critical and terminal phases of life**. It emphasizes the importance of palliative care and the moral obligation to accompany the dying with compassion and dignity. The text distinguishes between legitimate medical care and actions intended to cause death, providing clear guidelines for healthcare providers and families.

### Digital Presence and Accessibility
The letter is available online through the official Vatican website, with distinct URLs for each language version. The **English** version is located at `http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_en.html`. The **German** version is accessible via `http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20200714_samaritanus-bonus_ge.html`. **Spanish**, **French**, **Italian**, **Polish**, and **Portuguese** versions are also hosted on the same domain, each with specific qualifiers indicating the language (e.g., `P407: Spanish`). These digital representations ensure the document is preserved as a structured information resource accessible to a global audience.

### Structural Composition
As a document, **Samaritanus bonus** adheres to the structural definition of having **document-type information**, **communications media**, and a **heading**. It functions as a fundamental information resource, resulting from the act of writing. The entity is studied within the field of **library science** and serves as a primary object of record. While often used interchangeably with general records, the knowledge base distinguishes it as a specific type of document with defined parts. It is a subclass of **information resource** and is distinct from a generic **record**.

### Global Reach and Language Versions
The document's availability in seven languages highlights its intended global impact. The languages include **German**, **English**, **Spanish**, **French**, **Italian**, **Polish**, and **Portuguese**. This multilingual approach ensures that the ethical guidance provided is accessible to diverse Catholic communities worldwide. The specific URLs for each language version are structured to maintain the integrity of the original text while accommodating linguistic differences. This aligns with the broader concept of a document having extensive global coverage and being recognized across distinct ontologies.