Dear Friends,
On this first Sunday of Advent, I am pleased to present the pastoral reflection of the Atlantic Bishops, on the matter of medically assisted dying.
In this letter, the bishops offer their thoughts and advise on how to appropriately respond to individuals and their families who may be considering medically assisted dying and seeking pastoral care.
Bill C-14, which will amend the criminal code to allow euthanasia and assisted suicide, has been passed by the House of Commons and is now before the Senate. Healthcare workers and institutions are concerned that they may be required to participate in euthanasia and assisted suicide against their moral convictions.
In light of the fact that physician assisted death may come into effect in Canada on June 6th, 2016, the Archdiocesan committee on the Ministry For Care and Companionship has prepared a brief questions and answer document explaining physician assisted suicide and our Catholic teaching on this matter. This very grave matter affects all Canadians. Catholic Canadians in particular are being asked to be fully informed on what our faith says about the sanctity of life – from conception to natural death. All are invited to share this document widely. It can be found on the archdiocesan website by clicking here.
“… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days…” (Deut. 30:19)
Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 5, 2016
To the faithful of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth,
Dear Friends,
Greetings and blessings to all of you!
Today, we stand on the threshold of a major cultural shift in our country. We do not know if tomorrow the Government of Canada will have enacted legislation confirming the practice of medically assisted suicide. Whatever the decision on this matter will be, the fact that such a practice can be imagined and legalized is a reflection of how much Canadian society has moved away from values which were commonly upheld, respected and rooted in the Christian foundations of Canada. These values are no longer supported culturally or legally. Respect for life from conception to natural death is no longer to be presumed or expected, nor is it protected by law.
