The human tragedy of euthanasia and medical assistance in dying (MAiD) continues to rage in our Western society, particularly in Canada, where this ideology of dying according to one’s own will was enshrined in the country’s law in June 2016. In fact, the increase in the number of deaths through MAiD has been such that Canada has now surpassed all other countries in this regard.
A Throwaway Culture
It is elderly and sick people who are most often at risk of being subjected to the dictates of this deadly ideology. Traditionally, our seniors have always been regarded as an immense gift to society, but too often today we see that the culture emphasizes personal fulfillment and achievements, which can lead to neglecting those who are no longer considered necessary or productive. People with illnesses, and seniors, may therefore feel lonely, abandoned, and isolated from their own families and communities. The days when children grew up with their grandparents in the family home have unfortunately disappeared.
I worked in nursing homes, where I often witnessed the loneliness of those who were left to fend for themselves, and it reminded me of my mother. She suffered from several illnesses. I was her primary caregiver. If my mother had been a victim of euthanasia, I would not have grown in my own faith and compassion for others, and I would not have the unforgettable memories of her inner beauty and her faith in God. In truth, while I was helping her physically and emotionally, she was helping me spiritually through her example of perseverance and strength of soul, inspired by faith.
Unfortunately, in our throwaway culture, many sick and elderly people never receive this kind of support. Instead, they feel isolated and abandoned, which worsens their spiritual, mental, and physical suffering. Feelings of rejection often lead to depression, which can undermine the motivation and strength to care for oneself, thereby affecting overall health and the will to live. Indeed, the CDC reports that loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, dementia, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in its 6th Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), not only does loneliness play a negative role, but the notion of being a burden also comes into play:
The perception of being a burden to others is a common feeling among people with serious illnesses…which can then lead to negative feelings of guilt about being responsible for the caregiver’s difficulties.
Can we be surprised that these vulnerable people choose assisted suicide?
Euthanasia in Canada
A striking example of the extent of this ideology’s mindset is the case of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority who ordered that a euthanasia facility be opened and fully operational on the campus of St. Paul’s Hospital, a hospital administered by Catholics. Furthermore, MAiD rooms are in the same buildings that house two palliative care hospices. Abortion and euthanasia had long been prohibited there, but because of this government decree, the archdiocese was unable to prevent this new development. This is just one example among hundreds in Canada demonstrating the entrenchment of assisted dying.
Spiritual Care and Accompaniment
I can’t help thinking that the apparent loss of faith in God over the years, in a secularized society like ours, has inexorably led to this materialistic view of ending one’s life on one’s own terms and of minimizing the importance of family ties.
If we want to combat this calamity of loneliness and the desire for a premature death, we must offer hope through the support of family and community members, especially religious organizations and pastoral volunteers. For example, offer to spend time with an elderly friend or neighbor, or with a stranger in a nursing home. Give them spiritual support, such as praying with them or discussing God’s love, or simply listening to them. Show them that they are loved and needed, and not a burden to be discarded or whose death should be hastened. This attention has the dual benefit of giving hope to vulnerable people and carrying out one of the corporal works of mercy prescribed by the Church. After all, human beings are made of both body and soul, and the soul needs nourishment just as much as the body.
The Church’s Position
The rhetoric in favor of euthanasia, disguised as a dignified right, spreads a false impression of freedom and autonomy. People are led to believe that they are the masters of their own lives, which can be brought to an end according to their desires. This way of thinking leaves no room for God or for trust in Divine Providence in the face of illness and suffering.
The Catholic Church has always had a pro-life doctrine from the beginning of Christianity. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, euthanasia is morally unacceptable and goes against God’s fifth commandment not to kill. Indeed, the Canadian bishops unite in one voice to say “no” to MAiD and euthanasia, without exceptions. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) even formally and publicly declared its disagreement with the Canadian government’s new Bill aimed at expanding assisted dying to people suffering from mental illness, in an open letter:
Consistent with our strong objection to euthanasia/assisted suicide, we implore the federal government to heed the concerns voiced by many mental health experts, mental health and disability advocacy groups, communities, families, and individuals and to repeal entirely or permanently suspend the expansion of “MAiD” to persons whose sole medical condition is a mental illness.
Final Reflection
In closing, we must all do our part as Christians and informed citizens to support our vulnerable people and publicly declare our opposition to euthanasia, assisted suicide, and medical assistance in dying. Society and governments must stop opposing divine law and granting themselves the right to manage the mortality of human beings. It is up to God to decide when our life is over. Let us be content to take care of our bodies and souls and leave the rest to God.
Author’s Note: This is the abridged version of the article “Euthanasia: A Gesture of False Compassion” previously posted on Catholic365, an open publishing platform for Catholic writers.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
