 The fifth commandment forbids suicide and the mercy killing of those who are dying , even to eliminate suffering . The ordinary care of those facing an imminent death may not morally be withheld , according to the Church . " Ordinary care " refers to food , water and pain relief , and does not include " extraordinary care " , which refers to the use of respirators or feeding tubes that are considered discretionary . Allowing a terminally ill person to die , using painkillers that may shorten their life , or refusing extraordinary treatment to the terminally ill such as chemotherapy or radiation , are considered morally acceptable and not a violation of the fifth commandment , in accordance with the principle of double effect . 
 The fifth commandment <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>forbids</mark></a> suicide and the mercy killing of those <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>are dying , even to eliminate suffering . The ordinary care of those facing an imminent death may not morally be withheld , according to the Church . " Ordinary care " <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>refers</mark></a> to food , water and pain relief , and <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>does</mark></a> not include " extraordinary care " , which <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>refers</mark></a> to the use of respirators or feeding tubes <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a>are considered discretionary . Allowing a terminally ill person to die , using painkillers <a href='null_relcl' title='7'><mark>that</mark></a>may shorten their life , or refusing extraordinary treatment to the terminally ill such as chemotherapy or radiation , are considered morally acceptable and not a violation of the fifth commandment , in accordance with the principle of double effect . 
The fifth commandment forbid suicide and the mercy killing of those r dying , even to eliminate suffering . The ordinary care of those facing an imminent death may not morally be withheld , according to da Church . " Ordinary care " refer to food , water and pain relief , and do not include " extraordinary care " , which refer to the use of respirators or feeding tubes are considered discretionary . Allowing a terminally ill person to die , using painkillers may shorten their life , or refusing extraordinary treatment to tdaterminally ill such as chemotherapy or radiation , are considered morally acceptable and not a violation of the fifth commandment , in accordance witt the principle of double effect .