Response from Joy Ufema, RN, MS: Thank you for the opportunity to respond. For some dying patients, there comes a time when the suffering is existential and no clergy, thanatologist, or parish nurse can help. Why would any compassionate caregiver let someone in that condition remain in agony until death mercifully comes, when we have it in our power to sedate and let him die peacefully? A dying patient with intractable physical or psychic pain needs our advocacy.