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Questions & Answers

Comatose Patients

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Christian Living › Comatose Patients

The question

Should the life of a comatose patient be terminated and the organs harvested for other patients in need of organs if the comatose patient is brain dead and/or shows no signs of brain activity? Or should the comatose patient remain alive if the heart is still beating or he/she is on life support)? Is it justifiable to use the organs of someone who is brain dead to give life to others in need? What is the Coptic Orthodox Church's viewpoint concerning this issue.

The answer

If a person is deemed by the medical community as being permanently comatose and in a pervasive, irreversible, and vegetative state, the church may relieve the patient and the family from artificial means intended to extend the patient's life. This process ought to be performed with the most dignity to the patient and the family.

In cases of severe irreversible comas, many organs may still be functioning, due to artificial means. When the medical staff determines that the patient is "brain dead" and cannot survive without the support of artificial means, then the family may consult with the clergy to terminate the use of heroic measures and allow the patient to depart in peace, as eventually all the organs will shut down.

Organ donation is considered an act of mercy and kindness, symbolizing the ultimate final expression of brotherly love and self-sacrifice on behalf of the dying patient. The church does support enrollment in organ donor programs.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1571 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.