Canadian Catholics Speak Out Against Supreme Court Decision

St. Joseph, patron of Canada, patron of departing souls, pray for us. 

Here are some notable responses to the Supreme Court of Canada ruling, which opened the door to assisted suicide. 

Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

'Helping someone commit suicide... 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).' (Full text here)

Bishop Durocher also discussed the disappointment of the bishops on Vatican Radio. 

Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary

"The right to life is not a matter for Christians only. It is a human right. To formally cooperate in the killing of the disabled, frail, sick or suffering, even if motivated by a misplaced compassion, requires a prior judgment that such lives are not worth living. No life lacks value. No life should be unprotected by the law. No one forfeits the right to life because of illness or disability." (Full text here) 

Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton

“We believe the current provisions in the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide and euthanasia have served Canadians well, by protecting all persons, including those who are most vulnerable in our society. The law can only respect the inherent dignity of each Canadian life if it acknowledges that no one has the right to take action that would intentionally end another’s life." (Full text here)

Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver

"At the root of the desire for assisted suicide is the fact that adequate palliative care is often unavailable, which can lead to thoughts of suicide. In order to provide hope for those who suffer, we call on all levels of government, the healing professions, and hospitals and care facilities to ensure truly equal and inclusive access to such care. We have the technology to control pain, and we have the ability to overcome loneliness and despair.

"We call upon the federal government to enact legislation which will provide all possible legal safeguards for those who are vulnerable to suicide.” (Full text here)

Bishop Donald Bolen of Saskatoon

“The Catholic Church stands firm in its defense of the human dignity of every person. That dignity is not lost because of aging or illness, suffering or disability. The person who fears pain needs to be reassured and to know that it is possible to receive good medical care, including pain management. We need to eliminate the pain, rather than eliminating the patient.” (article here) 

Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto

"We all need to reach out compassionately to anyone contemplating suicide, and to offer whatever help we can to alleviate their pain, be it physical or psychological, so they can appreciate the value of their life, and know they are loved. But for anyone actually to assist them not to escape but to commit suicide is wrong. It is a perversion of the vocation of physicians to have them engaged in helping people to kill themselves. Physicians are called to be servants of healing, not agents of death." (Full text here)

For a great blog/homily on the topic, read what Msgr. Greg Smith of Christ the Redeemer Parish in Vancouver has to say.

And here are some tweets on the topic:

What a sad judgment! Let’s accompany those who suffer around us so that nobody chooses #suicide, assisted or not. Love is stronger!

— Mgr Gérald C Lacroix (@gclacroix) February 6, 2015

Such a sad day for Canada and a reminder of how much there is to be done - let our elected representatives hear our voices!

— Dr. Moira McQueen (@MoiraMcQueen) February 6, 2015

Sad to hear people "celebrating" a decision that will help people die in our country. Are these our new Cdn values? #assistedsuicide

— Neil MacCarthy (@neilmaccarthy) February 6, 2015

How long will it take for the "right to die" to be perceived by the dying, the weak, elderly or disabled as an obligation to die?

— Fr. James Mallon (@FJMallon) February 6, 2015

Days after #BellLetsTalk, #SCC says those with irremediable suffering (not excluding mental illness) have right to #assistedsuicide.

— Kris Dmytrenko (@krisdmytrenko) February 6, 2015

The Supreme Court has done a great disservice to the nation. There is a fundamental difference between care and kill.

— Canadian Catholic (@CDNCatholic) February 6, 2015

And a harrowing caution (with a must-read article) from Fr. Raymond de Souza.

The Charter & medicine increasingly used as tools of the powerful against the weak in the age of euthanasia & suicide http://t.co/Dy1hmVDPGr

— Fr. Raymond de Souza (@fatherdesouza) February 5, 2015

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