Shortly after my wife had given birth to our first son, I held my little boy and was immediately struck by his helplessness. Before that moment, I may have had some idea of how dependent a child is on others, but it became very real when my wife handed him to me on that sweltering […]
OXFORD, England – Recent increases in euthanasia and assisted suicide deaths among psychiatric and dementia patients reflect the concerns church officials expressed years ago, said a Dutch cardinal. Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, Netherlands, said psychiatrist Boudewijn Chabot was right to complain that doctors were now ignoring legal requirements that a patient requesting death should […]
In the Church’s efforts to teach about the grave evil of assisted suicide and the threats it poses, we must use clear and vigorous language. And it is always, always important that we do so with love. Assisted suicide is suicide. In the few states where it is legal, physicians willing to do so prescribe […]
“The sufferings caused by chronic or terminal illness … cry out for our compassion, a word whose root meaning is to ‘suffer with’ another person. True compassion alleviates suffering while maintaining solidarity with those who suffer. It does not put lethal drugs in their hands and abandon them.” USCCB, “To Live Each Day with Dignity: […]
The movement to legalize doctor-assisted suicide has been gaining momentum in recent years. Since 2015, two states (California and Colorado) and the District of Columbia have joined Oregon, Washington State and Vermont in legalizing the deadly practice. And 28 states had assisted suicide bills introduced in 2017 with a handful coming very close to succeeding. […]
Cecilia Soñé, a nurse practitioner, says that legalizing assisted suicide sends the false message that some lives are worth caring for and others are not. Watch to learn how she went into medicine to help heal patients, not to help kill them! Cecilia is also the Director of Respect Life at the Diocese of Peoria.
“Even among terminally ill patients, a request to die is nearly always a cry for help. … The patient requesting assisted suicide is often asking, ‘Does anyone want me to be alive, or care enough to talk me out of this request and support me through this difficult time?’” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities […]
The National Association of Catholic Nurses-USA (NACN-USA) is sounding the alarm about a troubling proposal on assisted suicide being contemplated by the American Nurses Association (ANA). Currently, the ANA holds a position in opposition to assisted suicide. But a proposed position statement would change that position and the ANA is asking for public comment. All are welcome […]