Dying with Christ, Living with Hope
Dear Minister,
Further to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada this past February 6, the Catholic Bishops of Canada welcomed the announcement you made in media interviews last month when you said that the federal government will soon reveal details of its public consultations regarding new legislation on assisted suicide. More recently, my brother Bishops and I also noted media reports a few weeks ago which quoted you as saying that the consultation, "while not formally announced, has begun." read more
On Friday, Feb 6 the Supreme Court of Canada struck down sections of the Criminal Code dealing with assisting in suicide. People everywhere have responded in one way or another to this change. The weekend of the ruling Archbishop Mancini shared his own thoughts and response in the his homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:
“Sing praises to the Lord who heals the broken-hearted” – Psalm 147
Dear Friends,
Today the gospel shows us Jesus, the healer! He healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and he healed all those who were brought to him that evening. Why did he do that?
Catholics are called by their faith to assist all those in need, particularly the poor, the suffering and the dying. Comforting the dying and accompanying them in love and solidarity has been considered by the Church since its beginning a principal expression of Christian mercy.
Helping someone commit suicide, however, is neither an act of justice or mercy, nor is it part of palliative care. The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada today does not change Catholic teaching. "[A]n act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, our Creator." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2277).
