“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

CATHOLICS AND ASSISTED SUICIDE

A New Dark Age of medical killing suicidal disabled, sick and
Archbishop Richard Smith
mentally ill Canadians draws near (June 6th 2016). Archbishop Richard Smith of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton conducted a series of educational evenings for Catholic laity about Church teaching and responses to euthanasia and assisted suicide. At his request, I agreed to participate in that process. In the last session I was one of three speakers: Archbishop Smith, palliative care physician Dr. Anna Voeuk, and me.



I spoke as someone for whom physician assisted suicide is intended. 

I utterly reject the contrived new right for PAS Canada's Supreme Court conjured up against centuries of Common Law which prohibited and punished assisted suicide. In my brief address I spoke about grief associated with acquired adult disability and incurable sickness. I addressed community versus autonomy and my responsibility to act for the Common Good of society despite living with long-term chronic illness.

I am available to speak to other Canadian venues and American jurisdictions considering legalizing physician assisted suicide. Contact me by email at HumanLifeMatters@shaw.ca

Mark  

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