On November 15 and 16, 2021 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will launch Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care. The launch marks the culmination of a four-year process whereby the CCCB partnered with experts from Pallium Canada, Dominican University College, the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, and the Congregation of the Sisters Saint Joseph in Canada. This partnership ensured the development of a high-level resource that will benefit Catholic parishioners eager to grow in their understanding of palliative care and Church teaching on end-of-life questions.
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
New legislation is coming and disability advocates are fearful. The federal government has tabled legislation to expand access to euthanasia to people who are not about to die, including people with disabilities. A 2019 government report said that people choose euthanasia because of fear of being a burden, loneliness, lack of support, or loss of dignity and meaning. People with disabilities face these issues daily. As a society, we have a responsibility to support the vulnerable, not allow them to be permanently silenced.
Dr. Nuala Kenny, SC , recently co-wrote a reflection on lessons learned by physicians during the global pandemic. Written along with four other physicians from across Canada, Sr. Nuala and her colleagues offer thoughts the challenges to heir ministry as Catholic doctors during these unprecedented times. In the introduction they write:
Prayer
Samples of prayers for specific moments, as well as contact info for a great variety of resources.
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