Letters

Euthanasia: letter to a PM

Arnold Jago

Contents - Dec 2015 Religious freedom: Catholic bishops face more than prosecution over marriage leaflet - Pat Byrne Education: Religious education: parents' responsibility or school's? - Fr Pat Stratford Apostolic voyage: Pope Francis supports Catholic church during Africa visit - AD2000 Report Genocide: US religious leaders condemn ISIS genocide against Christians - Nahal Toosi Germany: Pope Francis deplores decline of Catholicism in Germany - AD2000 Report China: New clampdown on believers in China - Bernardo Cervellera Religious freedom: Am I My Brother's Keeper? (Genesis 4:10) - Anne Lastman Has the Messiah come or returned? - Andrew Sholl Ordinariate Missal: "Divine Worship: The Missal" preserves Anglican patrimony - Fr James Bradley St Clement's revealing Letter to the Corinthians - Peter Westmore Letters: Euthanasia: letter to a PM - Arnold Jago Letters: Synod outcome "led by the Holy Spirit" Letters: Support religious freedom in India - Scott Schittl Reflection: Christmas: a time of light, peace and joy - Archbishop Mark Coleridge

We're all now under pressure to consider "voluntary euthanasia" and "assisted suicide" as acceptable, even desirable, things.

A letter from one wheelchair-bound disabled Canadian man to Canada's new euthanasia-approving Prime Minister is worth reading:

"Dear Prime Minister,

" ... I have been incurably ill with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than thirty years. Its degenerative nature gradually stripped me of physical function from being healthy and athletic to living in an electric wheelchair.

"If assisted suicide had been available during the mid-1980s I might have opted for it at a low point. I'm so glad I did not seek out a Jack Kevorkian. I never would have known my grandchildren.

"You see, Prime Minister, quality of life changes. What gave my life quality in 1984 is not what gives my life quality in 2015. Physical function is not so important to me anymore; it is love that brings quality to my life now: to love and be loved.

"You did the right thing in 2012 by supporting a national suicide prevention strategy.

"Do the right thing again ...

"A national suicide prevention strategy is a must for all Canadians, not just the healthy. Support increased emphasis on palliative medicine in medical schools ..."

Isn't he right? True quality of life is sharing love, palliating where possible -- and then giving even more love.

ARNOLD JAGO,
Nichols Point, Vic.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 11 (December 2015 - January 2016), p. 11