MONTREAL, Feb. 10, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - In a public statement made this morning in local papers, Archbishop Christian Lépine makes an appeal to the public conscience during this time leading up to the vote by our members of the Assembly on Bill 52.
A QUESTION OF LIFE OR DEATH:
A CALL TO CONSCIENCE
Very soon in Québec, our members of the Assembly will vote on Bill 52 « An Act respecting end-of-life care ». Should this be adopted, the result will be the legalization of euthanasia, termed under the title « medical aid in dying ».
In hastening a person's death, however, we are not helping them in dying, we are directly ending their life. It is to give our doctors the authority to kill patients who are vulnerable in certain circumstances.
We love and care for those who are vulnerable, and one day, we, ourselves, will all become vulnerable. It is important to us that we can know and trust our family and society will not choose to hasten our death, but will rather be present and support us until the very end.
We are called to choose unconditionally to respect life until natural death. As human beings, we are created to respect and serve life in all situations of fragility. One cannot be the cause of death of another innocent person - even if that decision is regulated - without hurting our own conscience and human dignity.
Causing the death of an innocent human being is causing the death of our own self…
+ Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal
Tuesday, February 11 will mark World Day of the Sick. To commemorate this day, Archbishop Lépine invites all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Montreal to celebrate a special Mass which will be held at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, 7:30 in the evening.
SOURCE: Archdiocese of Montreal
Eric Durocher 514 937 2301 ext. 275
Lucie Martineau 514 925 4304
www.diocesemontreal.org
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