THE Victorian Parliament will debate the Euthanasia Bill later this year. The Church’s response and action to this grave issue will be developed further over the coming months when we become aware of what is contained in the legislation. There is a renewed push in Victoria and other parts of Australia for euthanasia and assisted suicide to be legalised.
The term now being pushed is “assisted dying”. It is never easy to face the end of life of a loved one, we cannot support this kind of legislation no matter how it is described. Assistance at the time of dying is available through palliative care, but should not involve a lethal injection to end life.
Pope Francis recently said “the school of thought sometimes leads to a “false compassion” which holds that it is an act of dignity to perform euthanasia. Instead, the compassion of the Gospel is what accompanies us in times of need.
Assisted suicide is the opposite of care and represents an abandonment of the sick and the suffering, of older and dying persons. There is no safe way to kill or to help someone to their own suicide. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” is both a biblical and civil dictum and should remain so for very good reason.
Parishioners are asked to be involved with this issue through prayer, action and knowledge of the legislation. Let us never cease to call on Jesus Christ and the intercession of Mary our Mother.
Click on this link to read a Pastoral Letter from the Australian Catholic Bishops.