Pastoral Letter: Human beings need humanity not Euthanasia
In the midst of our Covid 19 woes, we are looking for anything that breathes hope and new life into our fearful world.
Yet, in the midst of this long winter, comes an unwanted visitor that can only fuel hopelessness: possible legislation on euthanasia. This is a real possibility in both the ACT and NSW.
Proponents usually use saccharine titles and ideologies to blunt the ethical dagger of euthanasia, such as Voluntary Assisted Dying. However, make no mistake about it. Euthanasia is government-sanctioned suicide. It is medical homicide.
CONFUSION REGARDING SUFFERING, DYING AND DEATH
Euthanasia legislation may simply be the issue that draws focus in Australia at present. Perhaps the real issue is our communal discomfort in discussing issues pertaining to suffering, dying and death. There is so much confusion here.
For example, confusion and contradictions exist when we are appalled at the high suicide rate in our community, yet euthanasia legislation encourages vulnerable people to contemplate suicide under certain conditions.
Contradictions also exist when we are increasingly ready to acknowledge publically Aboriginal country and culture, yet our First Australians are scandalously still one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities. Legislating euthanasia will make them even more vulnerable.
Some have witnessed or heard of friends and family members dying badly. This is always a failure of our duty to care. The media are keen to display such heart-felt cases.
Alarmingly and without rigorous scrutiny, however, increasing numbers look to euthanasia as a way to circumvent this tragedy.
DANGERS OF EUTHANASIA
Upon deeper reflection, we must admit that flirting with the possibility of euthanasia is a bridge too far to cross. It opens up horrendous possibilities that are not worthy of our common humanity. Let us consider the following:
… It imperils the foundation of law where intentional killing is always prohibited.
… It imposes upon the medical profession a law that is totally contrary to its ethos. Namely, under certain circumstances, they can intentionally kill. This is directed to the most medically vulnerable in our society.
Palliative care is the real medical solution to the terminally ill. Regrettably, it is never given sufficient serious discussion or adequate funding in our society to illustrate that it is a dignified medical response to the terminally ill.
… The political world is encouraged to pander to slogans such as the “right to die.” They are poisoned in their reasoning when they allow the popular and unreflected “new morality” of “It is my choice” to reign triumphantly. There is a hush about the responsibilities and duties attached to human rights that act as a purifier and refiner of mob ideologies.
Regarding rational argumentation, the developed world is entranced with a faulty understanding of the human person that sees the usefulness of a person as their defining feature. When I am persuaded to feel useless in my family or society, then the option of intentionally ending it seems “the way to go.”
Yet, perversely, no longer then do I feel that I have a “right to die.” I feel I have a “duty to die”. I end my life in hopelessness, even if loving family and friends are nearby.
Reigning triumphant, ultimately, are human rights and responsibilities based on the dignity of the human person.
For example, recently I heard of a daughter washing her father, heavily affected with dementia. The father no longer recognised his daughter. He looked at her for a moment and said: “I can see you have much love in your eyes.” This wonderful daughter understood that her father had a dignity beyond compare. She was offering him loving care and tenderness. This is real human dignity showcased.
ACT AND NSW LEGISLATION ON EUTHANASIA
At present, NSW are considering introducing euthanasia legislation.
The ACT Legislative Assembly cannot legislate on euthanasia. There were recently some lonely voices even suggesting absurdly that somehow Canberrans are having their human rights denied by not allowing euthanasia. Confusion surrounds the melding together of Territory rights and euthanasia legislation.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is dying well. It offers appropriate care. It is based on real compassion. It respects human dignity, and our humble response to our Creator God, the giver of all life. It concerns not simply the sick person but includes their family. It offers expert care not only for the physical but also the emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions.
Recently, I had the great joy of blessing the extension of the much-loved Clare Holland House. It is under the management of the Catholic Little Company of Mary Healthcare (Calvary Hospital). It is a palliative care hospice of the highest medical standard. Here those terminally ill receive excellent palliative care. More so, they are offered compassionate reassurance that their family, friends and expert medical staff are “walking together” with them in hope. After all, compassion literally means, “to suffer with.”
Such care is a kind of Emmaus moment in their vulnerable lives. I have witnessed this personally so often over the years of living out the priesthood.
CATHOLIC TEACHING ON EUTHANASIA
Human life, made in the image and likeness of God, has a dignity beyond compare. Life is a precious gift from God in both its origin and end. The Risen Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). We are to treasure life and never intend to harm ourselves or others.
Following from this foundation, the Catholic teaching on euthanasia is wise and clear. It needs repeating in our culture so confused on this major moral issue of death and dying.
On the one hand, we must never directly intend to cause death, either as an act or as an omission. Hence, our total opposition to all forms of euthanasia. Our Catholic hospitals, nursing homes and hospices will not participate in any way to co-operate in such activities.
Ordinary care of the dying must always be offered.
On the other hand, “discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment.” (CCC 2278)
A fuller description of the Catholic teaching on euthanasia can be accessed via the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2276-2279, 2324.
COMMUNITY ACTION
May I encourage all to become active in monitoring the progress of this national debate. It has now become a regional debate in NSW and ACT. Please become informed on all matters pertaining to it, and be ready to contact your local elected representatives expressing your opinions on euthanasia.
Let us pray earnestly to our living God for wisdom and hope in a culture so confused on death and end of life issues.
Please find below an array of sample letters you may wish to use when contacting either your local elected Members and Federal Parliamentarians. Please ensure to include your signature.
The proposed federal legislation, the Ensuring Territory Rights Bill 2021 was introduced to the Senate on 4 August and has been referred to a Senate committee for consideration with the report due by 6 October 2021. The committee is seeking public submissions. To make a submission go to: Ensuring Territory Rights Bill 2021
ACT
ACT residents can write to their federal members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to urge them to oppose the bill as per the wording in the proposed letters.
ACT residents can also write to their local members in the ACT Legislative Assembly to express your opposition to Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Subject: Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021
Dear [NAME]
I am writing to ask you to vote against the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021 (Bill).
Notwithstanding the Bill’s proponents claim that it is about territory rights, it is clear that the object of the Bill is to pave the way for legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Northern Territory. It is likely that once debate begins, the Bill will be amended to extend this same permission to the Australian Capital Territory.
You cannot separate the debate about this Bill from the reality of legalised euthanasia. For this reason, it is important that – in assessing the Bill’s merits – we look to the consequences of legalised euthanasia, both here and overseas.
I am concerned that, if legalised, euthanasia will be expanded from terminally ill to people in other categories.
For example, Belgium has expanded euthanasia to children, and to those with mental illness alone. The 2020 Belgium euthanasia data shows that 57 people were killed for psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar and behavioural disorders.
Additionally, 48 people were killed for cognitive disorders, 43 of whom were not expected to die soon.
Once you make euthanasia legal, it is difficult to stop it being extended to more and more groups, and near impossible to wind it back.
Once you make euthanasia legal, it paves the way for our most vulnerable to be killed.
Please vote ‘no’ to the passage of the Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Aged Care Royal Commission
Dear [Name]
I’m writing to ask you to prioritise the fixing of aged care over the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide in the territories.
The Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021 (Bill) would pave the way for legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Northern Territory and – if amended as expected – also in the Australian Capital Territory.
However, it is irresponsible to do so while the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety are yet to be implemented. Without a safe and affordable aged care system, discussions about end-of-life ‘choice’ are disingenuous.
State parliaments across Australia have ushered in euthanasia and assisted suicide laws without regard to the Royal Commission’s findings, stating that aged care is the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and not the states.
The Federal Parliament cannot wash their hands of this responsibility, and must not allow the reach of euthanasia and assisted suicide laws to expand even further without doing something about aged care.
Euthanasia proponents, including Philip Nitschke, have gloated that the Royal Commission saw an increase of people interested in euthanasia and assisted suicide methods, because they would rather die than be placed into aged care.
This is not choice.
If the federal parliament is serious about providing choice to the terminally ill, then its first priority should be with ensuring that the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission are implemented.
Please support the elderly and reject the Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Indigenous Australians are more at risk from euthanasia
Dear [Name]
I am writing to ask you to reject the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021 (Bill) which would make it possible to legalise both euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Northern Territory, and likely in the Australian Capital Territory as well.
The passage of this legislation would be irresponsible while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians – many of whom live in the Northern Territory – still lack access to basic palliative care services.
A review commissioned by the Australian government confirmed that more needs to be done to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are receiving palliative care.
Back in 2010, the National Palliative Care Strategy represented the combined commitment of federal and state governments, palliative care service providers and community based organisations to the development and implementation of consistent palliative care policies, strategies and services across Australia.
A 2016 review of this strategy found:
“There remain significant barriers to access to palliative care services for a number of people within the population, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples... The Strategy does not focus on groups which have traditionally not accessed palliative care services; developing culturally-specific activities to address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may help to improve access to services for those who need it.”
Unless and until there has been significant investment of responding to this review by investing in culturally-specific activities to address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, paving the way for euthanasia and assisted suicide in the territories would leave our indigenous Australians particularly vulnerable.
Please vote ‘no’.
Thank you.
Subject: Medical community overwhelmingly against euthanasia
Dear [Name]
Please vote against the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021 (Bill) which seeks to make it possible for the legalisation of both euthanasia and assisted suicide in Northern Territory, and – if amendments are made as predicted – in the Australian Capital Territory.
It is not clear to me why the federal parliament would be keen to open the door to euthanasia and assisted suicide when the medical community is so overwhelmingly against it.
The Australian Medical Association has been consistent in its opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The AMA’s official position is that ‘doctors should not be involved in interventions that have as their primary intention the ending of a person’s life.’
The World Medical Association is even stronger against it. The WMA Statement of Physician-Assisted Suicide reads: “Physicians-assisted suicide, like euthanasia, is unethical and must be condemned by the medical profession.”
Across the world, 107 of the World Medical Association's 109 constituent National Medical Associations oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Those who most closely deal with the sick and dying reject the idea that parliaments would allow them and their peers to kill patients instead of heal them.
In 2017, 105 Australian palliative care specialists signed an open letter, pleading with the Victorian government to not legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Instead, Australia’s palliative carers asked for adequate resources to help them to care for those at the end-of life. And they rejected the active and deliberate undermining of their work in an effort to push these laws through.
Please listen to our medical professionals and vote ‘no.’
Thank you.
Subject: Stop extreme euthanasia laws being passed in the ACT
Dear [Name]
I am writing to ask you to vote against the Ensuring Northern Territory Rights Bill 2021 (Bill).
Notwithstanding the Bill’s proponents claim that it is about territory rights, it is clear that the object of the Bill is to pave the way for legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Northern Territory. It is likely that once debate begins, the Bill will be amended to extend this same permission to the Australian Capital Territory.
You cannot separate the debate about this Bill from the reality of legalised euthanasia. As constitutional lawyer and academic Professor Greg Craven points out, the territory rights campaign is ‘inextricable’ from the euthanasia issue.
For this reason, the federal parliament needs to exercise extreme caution before giving territories the capability to design programs that would sanction the killing of its citizens.
With only 25 members in the ACT Legislature, all that would be needed to pass euthanasia laws is the vote of 13 people. This is way too much power to give to such a small number of people with no house of review. What’s more, it is likely that any laws passed in the ACT would be the most extreme passed in the country.
The potential extremity has already been foreshadowed in an ACT parliamentary inquiry in 2018, where ACT’s Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne, appeared to condone euthanasia for the elderly, not just the terminally ill.
These decisions can’t be left to the ACT Legislature. The federal parliament must not shy away for its responsibility of oversight of the territories and vote against the Bill.
Thank you.
NSW
NSW residents can write to both their federal and state representatives:
- for the federal representatives – to oppose and vote against the Ensuring Territory Rights Bill 2021
- for their state representatives – to oppose any introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (the “Greenwich bill”). This bill is an initiative of independent state MP for the seat of Sydney, Bill Greenwich.
Subject: This bill is much more dangerous than others
Dear [Name]
I am opposed to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill), released by Alex Greenwich MP for public consultation in July.
The Greenwich Bill removes more than a dozen protections that were present in the bill rejected by the NSW Parliament in 2017 (2017 Bill).
These are just a few examples:
- The two doctors required to sign off on a patient’s death are no longer required to be independent of each other. Independence was required in the 2017 Bill;
- Neither doctor signing off on a patient’s death needs to be a specialist in the illness they are suffering. At least one needed to be a specialist in the 2017 Bill;
- The doctors do not even need to meet and examine the patient in-person; they can sign-off on a patient’s death via telehealth. The 2017 Bill required both doctors to meet the patient;
- The 2017 Bill required a mandatory psychological assessment of the patient. The Greenwich Bill requires no mental health assessment;
- The 2017 Bill required mandatory reporting to the coroner; the Greenwich Bill removes this requirement.
If the NSW Parliament rejected a much stricter bill in 2017, it is outrageous to think that MPs would countenance passing a much more dangerous bill just four years later.
As a state, we can do better than an unsafe euthanasia and assisted suicide regime.
Please vote ‘no’ to the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Unbearable pain not main reason for overseas euthanasia
Dear [Name]
I am writing to oppose the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill), released by Alex Greenwich MP for public consultation in July, which aims to legalise both euthanasia and assisted suicide in New South Wales
In places where euthanasia and/or assisted suicide have been legalised, data shows that those who are asking to die are, in the main, doing so for reasons that have nothing to do with the experience of pain.
In Oregon, where assisted suicide has been legal for the last 20 years, the top 5 reasons given for requesting assisted suicide do not mention untreatable pain. The top reasons given are:
- Losing autonomy (90.6%)
- Less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable (89.9%)
- Loss of dignity (73.6%)
- Burden on family, friends/caregivers (47.5%)
- Losing control of bodily functions (43.1%)
The legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia would have the result of responding to mental and emotional suffering with lethal force.
As a state, we can do better than this.
Please vote ‘no’ to the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Elder abuse and euthanasia a dangerous mix
Dear [Name]
I would like you to vote against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill) which has the aim of legalising both euthanasia and assisted suicide in New South Wales.
In recent years, it has become apparent that elder abuse and the risk of elder abuse are increasing threats in Australia. If an individual is unable to take care of themselves, has reduced decision-making capabilities and/or financial management issues, their vulnerability to be pressured into euthanasia by family members or others responsible for their care increases.
The World Health Organisation has estimated that the prevalence of elder abuse in high- or middle-income countries ranges from 2% to 14%. More than 15% of Australia’s population is aged 65 or over, and more than 80% of Australians over the age of 85 are living with a disability.
A 2015 NSW Parliamentary inquiry revealed shocking accounts of elder abuse. The Committee Chair, Hon. Greg Donnelly MLC, wrote:
“Within the context of the many priorities that governments juggle, abuse of older people can be overlooked, perhaps because elder abuse tends to be hidden away. Perhaps it is because of the ageism that exists in our culture, that allows us to disrespect our elders and tacitly accept disempowerment as an inevitable outcome of frailty. Perhaps it is too threatening for many of us – because we ourselves will one day be old and frail -– to see this abuse for what it is: exploitation of and in some cases violence towards people who are vulnerable, people who in many cases are the least able to protect and defend themselves.”
These are extraordinary words, and reveal the risk of elder abuse: not in an abstract sense, but here in NSW.
An Australian Law Reform Commission recommended a detailed study into the prevalence of elder abuse in this country, and a national plan combat elder abuse to be agreed between federal, state and territory governments.
This has not yet happened.
It would be recklessly negligent of the NSW parliament to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in the state before putting in place a system to effectively address the scourge of elder abuse. If we cannot tackle elder abuse, there is no reason to believe that we can adequately safeguard against abuse when it comes to euthanasia and assisted suicide for our vulnerable elderly.
Please protect our elderly and vote ‘no’ to the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Now is not the time for euthanasia
Dear [NAME]
I am writing to ask you to not only vote against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill), but to resist any moves to have it debated in Parliament.
The outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has been described as a ‘national emergency’ by both Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
It has caused untold suffering to individuals and families, particularly in the Local Government Areas subject to the strictest lockdowns.
There is a greater sense of isolation and desperation experienced by so many people, evident in the fact that on Monday, 2 August, Lifeline recorded the highest number of calls in a single day in its 58-year history.
This isolation is being felt especially in the sick and elderly, with hospital visits either banned or restricted to one person per stay, and those in aged care or living in retirement villages once again deprived of visits from friends and relatives.
There is never a good time to push euthanasia and assisted suicide, but trying to push a pro-suicide message at this moment is especially callous. It is also irresponsible to use up valuable NSW Parliamentary debate time on a contentious social issue, when so much more is at stake.
Please resist any debate of the Greenwich Bill, and vote ‘no’ if it does come before Parliament.
Thank you.
Subject: Medical community overwhelmingly against euthanasia
Dear [Name]
Please vote against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill) which has the aim of legalising both euthanasia and assisted suicide in New South Wales.
It is not clear to me why the NSW Parliament would be countenance euthanasia and assisted suicide when the medical community is so overwhelmingly against it.
The Australian Medical Association has been consistent in its opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The AMA’s official position is that ‘doctors should not be involved in interventions that have as their primary intention the ending of a person’s life.’
The World Medical Association is even stronger against it. The WMA Statement of Physician-Assisted Suicide reads: “Physicians-assisted suicide, like euthanasia, is unethical and must be condemned by the medical profession.”
Across the world, 107 of the World Medical Association's 109 constituent National Medical Associations oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Those who most closely deal with the sick and dying reject the idea that parliaments would allow them and their peers to kill patients instead of heal them.
In 2017, 105 Australian palliative care specialists signed an open letter, pleading with the Victorian government to not legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Instead, Australia’s palliative carers asked for adequate resources to help them to care for those at the end-of life. And they rejected the active and deliberate undermining of their work in an effort to push these laws through.
Please listen to our medical professionals and vote ‘no’ to the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Prioritise palliative care in NSW
Dear [Name]
I am writing in relation to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill) which has the aim of legalising both euthanasia and assisted suicide in New South Wales.
If the NSW parliament is serious about providing choice to the terminally ill, then its first priority should be with ensuring that all NSW residents have access to properly resourced palliative care, no matter where they live in the state.
NSW currently has approximately 91 FTE palliative care specialists for the state, or just 1.1 palliative medicine specialists per 100,000 population. To meet Palliative Care Australia’s benchmark of 2 FTE specialist palliative medicine physicians per 100,000 population, NSW should have almost double the number of palliative care doctors it currently has.
While this lack of available palliative care has significant effects in regional NSW, there is a lack of palliative care even in major hubs.
For example, Westmead Hospital, which serves a population of 1.85 million and has almost 1000 beds has no dedicated palliative care beds at all.
Legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide in the state before ensuring that all residents have access to high quality palliative care is irresponsible and goes directly against the notion of ‘end-of-life choices’ being thrown around. Without accessible palliative care, this phrase is a misnomer, and will effectively leave terminally ill patients with the false choice of pain at the end of life, or euthanasia or assisted suicide.
Please support palliative care and reject the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
Subject: Regional, rural and remote healthcare in NSW
Dear [Name]
I am writing to ask you to reject the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (Greenwich Bill), which Alex Greenwich MP has released for public consultation. The Greenwich Bill aims to legalise both euthanasia and assisted suicide in New South Wales.
Mr Greenwich and others who push for legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in NSW in the name of end-of-life choice.
However, the full picture of health care availability and end-of-life choices available to NSW residents, particularly those in regional, rural and remote NSW is not yet available.
A current NSW Legislative Council Committee inquiry into health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote NSW (Inquiry) is currently underway, with hearings continuing until December and the Committee’s report not due until next year.
While there is still a long way to go in this Inquiry, submissions and testimony so far have outlined the lack of ordinary health care , not to mention palliative care, in rural, regional and remote parts of the state.
Legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide in the state before the Inquiry concludes and the full picture of access to health care in rural, regional and remote NSW is realised is irresponsible, and shows that the push for ‘choice’ by euthanasia advocates is nothing but a veneer.
Please reject the Greenwich Bill.
Thank you.
The matter or euthanasia is one of real concern because the people who support euthanasia just won’t listen and think they know best.
There are reasons why people support Euthanasia. It’s very disappointing that there is no group within the Church or otherwise that addresses this. The Church really has the ability to step up to fill this gap. Respectfully, it does not feel like the Church is on par with changing times – how we interact and communicate these days.