Compare philosophies of euthanasia in Buddhism and Catholicism

Buddhism does not have specific tenets about euthanasia, nor is there any agreement between Buddhists about whether or not it is an acceptable practice. However, Buddhists put great value on not harming others, so it makes sense that euthanasia would only take place in certain circumstances. Since compassion is very important in Buddhism, if someone is dying a miserable, painful death, perhaps it would be an act of compassion to expedite their death. The Dalai Lama has said that all life is meaningful and worthwhile, but he has also said that there are exceptions to all rules. So perhaps this means that there might be room to explore the concept of euthanasia in Buddhism.
In Catholicism, euthanasia is never allowed in any way, shape, or form. The church believes that euthanasia is serious abuse of the law of God and that by engaging in it we are actively deciding to kill a person. Catholics believe that just because we suffer, that doesn't mean that we aren't actively learning from our suffering; in fact, perhaps we are supposed to learn from suffering itself. They also claim that since it is morally wrong to commit suicide, it is also morally wrong to help someone commit suicide. According to Pope John Paul II in 1995:



"True compassion leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/euthanasiasuicide.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml