As medical personnel come under increasing pressure to participate in end-of-life procedures in the wake of a Supreme Court decision in February that people in ‘grievous pain’ should be allowed to request assisted suicide, more than 30 Christian denominations together with representatives of the Jewish and Muslim faiths have issued their Declaration on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, arguing for respect for human dignity and a recourse to palliative care in end-of-life cases.
“We,” the faith leaders write, “from the basis of our sacred teachings and enduring traditions, affirm the sanctity of all human life, and the equal and inviolable dignity of every human being. This is an affirmation shared by societies and cultures around the world and throughout history.
“On the basis of our respective traditions and beliefs, we insist that any action intended to end human life is morally and ethically wrong.
“Euthanasia and assisted suicide treat the lives of disadvantaged, ill, disabled, or dying persons as less valuable than the lives of others. Such a message does not respect the equal dignity of our vulnerable brothers and sisters.
The leaders conclude: “In light of the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, we urge federal, provincial and territorial legislators to enact and uphold laws that enhance human solidarity by promoting the rights to life and security for all people; to make good-quality home care and palliative care accessible in all jurisdictions; and to implement regulations and policies that ensure respect for the freedom of conscience of all health-care workers and administrators who will not and cannot accept suicide or euthanasia as a medical solution to pain and suffering.”
