More on Medical Assistance in Dying

 

At the beginning of the year the Canadian government was in a hurry to change legislation which would potentially broaden access to Medical Assistance in Dying in this country. Citizens were invited to comment in writing and online, which resulted in the greatest response to any issue where the public was encouraged to be involved. 

I was disappointed that the General Council of the United Church provided no leadership for congregations and members for what is a deeply moral, ethical and spiritual discussion, one which won't go away. I met with 15 or so people from the congregation which we attend and it was obvious that this group of Christians had both questions and concerns. I am not opposed to MAID, although I feel that the judicial system should not be driving this discussion and that ethicists should be as important as judges in the direction we go as a a nation.

Well, then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and this initiative was delayed for months, perhaps longer. Meanwhile, individuals are still choosing assisted dying and the discussions continue.

Recently a Nova Scotia woman sought a court injunction to stop the MAID death of her husband, which has actually been approved. The couple in their 80's have been married for nearly 50 years. He wants to die because of COPD while she argues that he is delusional and suffering from anxiety. A number of experts were consulted prior to approval but they weren't all in agreement about his condition. It appears that a final decision regarding the injunction may be pushed into 2021 and meanwhile, the husband is no longer talking to his wife. 

I find this quite sad, and this story is a reminder that there will be disagreements within families when it comes to such momentous decisions. Months ago I talked to a former parishioner whose brother chose MAID. His wife had misgivings, but supported him, and this sister did her best not to interfere but was unsettled by his decision. 

We don't live in a vacuum when it comes to choices about the end of life, whether it is MAID, or Do Not Resuscitate directives or decisions about courses of medical treatment. It is important to be open within our families about how we feel, to be honest about both living and dying, and to be prayerful as we do so. God gives us life and it should be cherished. All of us will die, so honestly and clarity are important.

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