In a statement released 20 October 2020, the Catholic Bishops of Canada call on Catholics and all people of good will to make their voices heard in opposition to Bill C-7, which expands access to euthanasia and assisted suicide [link].
This Bill removes, among other things, the requirement in the law that a person’s death must be “reasonably foreseen” and extends the provision of euthanasia and assisted suicide to those who are not dying. Catholic teaching upholds the inherent dignity of each and every person and affirms that it is gravely unjust to enact laws legalizing practices, such as euthanasia and assisted, that permit the taking of innocent human life.
The Bishops have been meeting with other religious leaders, disability advocates, physicians and legal professionals in order to address common concerns raised by Bill C-7. As a result of these meetings, there have been joint statements and individual statements issued by these groups opposing this Bill from different perspectives.
A joint ecumenical and interfaith statement endorsed by over 50 religious leaders across Canada maintains that the legalization of euthanasia is unacceptable for a civilized society [link]. It warns that “doctors and other health-care professionals who, on basic religious or ethical principle, refuse to administer a lethal injection could be subject to sanctions, even to the point of losing their license.” The religious leaders emphasize that we need to care for those who are ill and dying, not kill them. They point out that palliative care is not fully available and accessible. Making it available and accessible across Canada should be the approach of a truly just and compassionate society to suffering at the end of life, not the legalization of euthanasia.
The removal of safeguards by Bill C-7 would place vulnerable persons, those with disabilities and mental illness, in serious risk. The statement by disability advocates opposing this Bill has been endorsed by a broad group of disability advocates [link]. I draw your attention as well to the statement of the group of physicians opposing Bill C-7, endorsed by 600 physicians across Canada [link], and to the statement of the group of legal professionals, endorsed by over 140 legal professionals and students [link]. The information I make reference to in this letter can also be found on the Diocese of London website at https://dol.ca/bill-c-7-maid I urge you, the faithful of our diocese, to contact your Member of Parliament. Join the Bishops, religious leaders and other concerned groups that are opposing Bill C-7. May God bless you. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B. Bishop of London