Judge puts Quebec euthanasia law on hold
Medical aid in dying ‘a catastrophic idea’
MONTREAL - After 30 years in palliative care medicine, Dr. Bernard Lapointe is adamant that regardless of what the law says he will never euthanize a patient. He is among thousands of law-abiding Quebec doctors who are facing some of the most difficult days of their professional careers as the province hurtles towards Dec. 10 and the legalization of euthanasia.
Catholics need to shape suicide law from within
A new ethics guide on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia recommends that family doctors who cannot find ethical common ground with patients who wish to die help those patients find another doctor.
Beyond absurdity
Last week, two vibrant Catholic voices spoke on the same night in venues across the street from each other in downtown Toronto.
Cardinal Collins pledges $1 million for palliative care facility
TORONTO - With doctors about to become "agents of death" when assisted suicide comes to Canada in three months, politicians and society should instead be focussed on bringing comfort to the dying, said Cardinal Thomas Collins.
Care, not killing
Most of Canada’s incoming parliamentarians were on the campaign trail in September and probably missed the inspiring address Pope Francis gave to U.S. Congress. If so, that’s a shame. His speech was made for America but a perfect fit for Canada.
More time needed to define assisted suicide, conference told
MONTREAL - As Canada moves toward legalized assisted suicide starting in February, Quebec will jump the gun and become the first province to permit doctors to euthanize patients beginning next month.
Health care must maintain ‘life-affirming ethos,’ faith leaders say
OTTAWA - Faith groups from across Canada are calling on Canada’s new government to focus on palliative care instead of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Bishops not preaching to the converted on euthanasia
The Catholic fight to keep doctors from administering lethal drugs to patients who say they want to die continues as the deadline nears for a Supreme Court of Canada mandate that physician-assisted suicide become legal as of Feb. 6, 2016.
As election looms, euthanasia ‘taboo’ topic of campaign
OTTAWA - In the final days of the federal election campaign, an array of anti-euthanasia groups nationwide has accused the political parties of “fleeing their responsibilities” on an issue too important to be swept under the carpet.
‘Death kits’ prepared for Quebec doctors
OTTAWA - When news leaked Sept. 1 that the Quebec government is preparing “euthanasia kits” for doctors, it came as no surprise to the head of a physicians’ group that opposes euthanasia.
Appalling silence
Ontario and several other provinces are following the federal government’s lead in assembling “expert” panels to research and make recommendations during a mad dash to transform Canada into a nation that permits doctors to kill selected patients or help these patients kill themselves.
REGINA - Saskatchewan’s bishops are urging the province’s Catholics to raise their voices in defence of life and human dignity for all.
MEXICO CITY - Mexico's Supreme Court has declared state-level laws, defining marriage only as the union of a man and a woman, discriminatory and unconstitutional. The decision, in effect, legalizes same-sex marriages in all 31 of the country's states.
Catholic health cannot support assisted suicide
OTTAWA - For the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, there is no debate about euthanasia and assisted suicide.