There is no Aloha in Assisted Suicide
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Life is our first gift from an infinitely loving Creator. lt is the most fundamental element of our God-given human dignity. To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones-that is the hope of each of us. particular,
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Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny. Today, however, many people fear the dying process. They are afraid of being kept alive past life's natural limits by burdensome medicaltechnology. They fear experiencing intolerable pain and suffering, losing control over bodily functions, or lingering with severe dementia. They worry about being abandoned or becoming a burden on others.
our society can be judged by how we respond to these fears. A caring community devotes more attention, not less, to members facing the most vulnerable times in their lives. When people are tempted to see their own lives as diminished in value or meaning, they most need the love and assistance of others to assure them of their inherent worth. The healing art of medicine is an important part of this assistance. Even when a cure is not possible, medicine plays a critical role in providing "palliative care"-alleviating pain and other symptoms and meeting basic needs. Such care should combine medical skill with attention to the emotional as well as spiritual needs of those facing the end of life. Today there is a campaign to respond to these fears and needs in a radically different way. tt uses terms like "death with dignity" to describe a self-inflicted death, generally using a drug overdose prescribed by a doctor for the purpose of suicide. {continues on back of page)
lf they succeed, society will undergo a radical change. Jewish and Christian moraltraditions have long rejected the idea of assisting in another's suicide. Catholic teaching views suicide as a grave offense against love of self, one that also breaks the bonds of love and solidarity with family, friends, and God (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], no.2281). Most people, regardless of religious affiliation, know that suicide is a terrible tragedy, one that a compassionate society should work to prevent. They realize that allowing doctors to prescribe the means for their patients to killthemselves is a corruption of the healing art. Our society should embrace what Pope John Paul ll called "the way of love and true mercy"-a readiness to surround patients with love, support, and companionship, providing the assistance needed to ease their physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. This approach must be anchored in unconditional respect for their human dignity, beginning with respect for the inherent value of their lives. We as Catholics should be leaders in the effort to defend and uphold the principle that each of us has a right to live with dignity through every day of our lives. As disciples of one who is Lord of the living, we need to be messengers of the Gospel of Life.
Please visit our volunteers on your way out today and make your Catholic Voice heard by signing our petition to DEFEAT: 581129 Medical Aid in
Dying. You may also pick up "The Truth about Assisted Suicide" Resources
Lenten Prayer for the Defense of Life Heavenly Father, Hear our prayer for all of our legislators, policy makers and judges, Lord, and ocnanicllrr erHvururrJ
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they see whom their decisions may kill and put aside all earthly pride, embracing only the wisdom that comes from you. Hear our prayers for all we crown with thorns, O Lord, especially for the elderly whom we scourge with our neglect. Fill our hearts with a love for them. In their weakness, may we see your suffering, in their pain, may we find your cross. As you carried the cross, Lord, you fell again and again. Hear
our Prayer for all who bear the weight of fatal diseases. May their love for life give them hope, and their confidence in the creator of life bring them joy.
Grant repentance, 0 Lord, to all who have sinned against the Gospel of Life: to doctors who abort babies, mothers who abandon their children, those who would execute prisoners, or euthanize the old. To researchers who refuse to follow your will, or those who would profit on the sufferings of others: give a full portion of your graces and your mercy, that they too might turn from their sin and find you, who are Lord forever and ever. Amen. For more information visit www.noalohainsuicide.org