Father and Joe 389: Facing Life's Toughest Questions: Faith, Family, and the Moral Dilemmas of Life and Death

Father and Joe

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks tackle one of life's most challenging and deeply personal experiences: navigating fear, uncertainty, and moral dilemmas during a medical crisis. As Joe shares his personal journey of emotional and spiritual turmoil after receiving a distressing letter about his wife’s pregnancy, Father Boniface provides guidance, wisdom, and insights grounded in faith.
The conversation begins with Joe reflecting on his reaction to the emotionally-charged letter and the subsequent weeks of waiting for clarity. “I don’t even know if the way that I handled it and addressed it was right, fair, proper, sinful, or amoral,” Joe shares, admitting his struggle to reconcile worry and faith. For three agonizing weeks, Joe was forced to confront one of life’s most difficult questions: What would I do if faced with choosing between the life of my wife and our unborn child?
Father Boniface offers clarity and hope, diving deep into the principles of moral theology, the importance of intention, and the concept of choosing the greater good without embracing evil. He explains:
“You can never choose evil for any reason. You may choose the lesser good or the greater good, but you can never choose an evil. If two people are drowning, your intention must always be to save both, even if circumstances limit what you can achieve.”
Through this meaningful conversation, Joe and Father Boniface also explore:
The overwhelming nature of medical bureaucracy and the stress caused by legal disclaimers, which often lack empathy and perspective.
The moral principles behind life-and-death decisions, including the “principle of double effect.”
How faith, trust, and relationship with God can guide us in moments of uncertainty.
The importance of involving trustworthy, morally grounded individuals in difficult decision-making processes.
Joe’s story sheds light on the raw emotional and spiritual challenges that many families face, especially during pregnancy, and highlights the need for compassion, communication, and trust in both faith and relationships.
This episode invites all of us to reflect on how faith shapes our responses to life’s toughest moments. As Father Boniface reminds us: “Ultimately, what you want in these moments is not a blanket statement or pre-made decision. You want a relationship with someone you trust—someone morally well-formed and clear-minded—to guide you through the storm.”
Tune in to discover how faith, moral principles, and trust can transform anxiety into peace, even in the most difficult situations.
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