Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich's Bill-84's deposition: ‘I fear my values may be held against me’
On March 23, public depositions were heard by a standing committee that is reviewing Bill-84, an act to amend Ontario laws related to medically assisted death. Two of the speakers, Cardinal Thomas Collins and Dr. Christine Cserti‐Gazdewich, appealed for the recognition of conscience rights to protect doctors who reject this now-legal practice. Here is the edited statement from Dr. Christine Cserti‐Gazdewich.
Rather than fighting to change the system which imposes euthanasia, health care professional bioethicist Bob Parke wants to create a private hospice that bans assisted killing and where dying will only come the natural way.
OTTAWA – Ontario doctors should fight harder to preserve conscience rights in the face of a policy that is “outrageous,” said American physician and theologian Dr. Farr Curlin.
Archbishop Collins testifying at conscience rights hearing
Conscience rights for Ontario doctors will get the full attention of Queen’s Park on Thursday, March 23, in committee hearings on Bill 84.
OTTAWA – The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees conscience protection for physicians and overrides policies of medical bodies that want to compel health care professionals to participate in euthanasia and assisted suicide, argued a constitutional lawyer.
New Mexico bishops concerned by Catholic legislators’ advocacy of euthanasia, abortion
SANTA FE – New Mexico Bishops released a statement last week discouraging public advocacy from Catholic legislators for abortions and assisted suicide on behalf of their Catholic faith.
Conscience rights to be addressed by Ontario legislators
The right being sought by many Ontario doctors to refuse to give patient referrals for euthanasia and assisted suicide will be addressed in committee meetings at Queen’s Park in the next month.
Groups push back against widening Quebec euthanasia law
OTTAWA – Anti-euthanasia groups have expressed dismay at a political push in Quebec for advanced directives for dementia patients, following the murder of a woman by her caregiver husband last month.
It was a story that slipped through public consciousness like a shadow, first ominous then quickly evaporated and forgotten.
More groups are joining the fight for conscience rights
OTTAWA – Groups defending conscience rights and religious freedom will be allowed to participate in a court case challenging the Ontario physicians’ college.
Despite opposition, assisted suicide law takes effect in Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON– The District of Columbia has joined six states in the country in allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medications to terminally ill patients who want to end their lives.
Economics can’t drive choices, says Dying with Dignity
Palliative care is a human right and should be available to all Canadians and end-of-life choices should not be driven by economics, Dying With Dignity CEO Shanaaz Gokool has told The Catholic Register.
Tensions caused by euthanasia is part of job dealing with dying
Euthanasia is here to stay, so Catholic health care workers must rely on their Christian perspectives to guide them through the tensions caused by medical aid in dying.
WASHINGTON – A repeal of Washington, D.C.'s physician-assisted suicide law moved through the U.S. House on Monday, but is in a race against time to pass through Congress and be signed by President Trump by Friday.
Following the shooting deaths of six men inside a Quebec City mosque, politicians quite rightly condemned the slaughter and affirmed Canada’s commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and tolerance.