Does Catholic teaching require a feeding tube?

Not automatically. This is the teaching most often reported in half.

Directive 58 of the Ethical and Religious Directives starts with a duty in principle. Give food and water, including by tube or drip, to people who cannot take food by mouth. But the same directive sets limits. These steps "become morally optional when they cannot reasonably be expected to prolong life." They are also optional if they "would be excessively burdensome" or "would cause significant physical discomfort."

The directive then turns to the case a family facing advanced cancer is in. A patient may draw "close to inevitable death" from a disease that keeps getting worse and cannot be cured. At that stage, some ways of giving food and fluid "may become excessively burdensome and, therefore, not obligatory." The reason given is their "very limited ability to prolong life or provide comfort."

The 2020 Vatican letter Samaritanus bonus goes further. Sometimes food and fluid no longer help, because the body cannot take them up or use them. Then, it says, "their administration should be suspended."

Whether that fits your relative is a clinical question. Ask the team if the feed is being absorbed. Ask if fluids are helping, or adding to swelling and secretions. Ask for a Catholic chaplain and an ethics consultation together.

Sources

• USCCB — Ethical and Religious Directives, 7th ed.
• Holy See — Samaritanus bonus
• NCI — Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ)