2 Moral Issues the Conservatives Just Got Right

The Conservative Party of Canada just wrapped up their convention in Calgary over the weekend, and a couple of motions passed that are really worth noting:

1. The Conservative Party will not support any legislation to legalize euthanasia or assisted suicide. 
2. The Conservative Party “condemns discrimination against girls through gender selection”  (i.e. condemns aborting a baby on the basis that she is a girl). 

Now I am not a huge fan of everything the Conservative Party has done. I have qualms which I could go into. But this is a very happy sign that MPs in the party are taking a position on moral issues, and the right stance at that.  

Euthanasia is a hot topic in Canada right now because Quebec is veering in the direction of acceptance. I am very happy to see at least one federal party opposing the practice of killing sick people.

The Catechism deals with euthanasia in paragraphs 2276-2279. Quoting just 2277:

Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an 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, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

The resolution to condemn sex-selective abortion is a small step, but again, in the right direction. It remains to be seen what the result of this condemnation will be, and it seems unclear from the wording whether it also opposes abortion of babies based on the fact that they happen to be male. But after PM Harper's past attempts to silence MP Warawa (who brought forth the motion), it is a good sign that the party overall is more reasonable and willing to take the correct stance on such an obvious moral issue.

Abortion and euthanasia are two of the five non-negotiable issues for the Catholic voter. When election time comes, examine where the candidates in your riding stand on abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and (already legal in Canada) "same-sex marriage". A Catholic cannot in good conscience support the legalization or expansion of these practices. (A very useful guide for voting with regards to these issues is available here.)

While much more must be done in these areas, I say it was a good weekend for the CPC. How about you?

Question: How encouraged are you by these resolutions?