religious hypothetical

[topaz]

What would happen in the Catholic church if the Pope lost all higher brain function, was still able to breathe on his own but had to rely on a feeding tube to survive?

(Note: better minds than yours have already asked "what's the difference?" so don't even bother to go there.)

I can't possibly imagine that anyone would make the decision to take him off life support. But who would run the place? Is there such a thing as Acting Pope? How does the chain of command work?

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Omigawd, that's GREAT! J and I were JUST discussing this very subject before I logged on. And the fact that it would be very interesting to see how the Church guys would handle it if the pope became another Terri. Would they re-think their absurdly blind stance on life at all costs? Would some 'unethical' martyr try to put the pope out of his misery and try to save face for his church?

Great minds apparently not only think alike but in synch. ;-)