New Creed Booklet illustration Gary Crawford
"in life, in death,
in life beyond death,
God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God."
from the New Creed -- United Church of Canada
When we offered a study series on Medical Assistance in Dying at Trenton United earlier in the Fall 19 people participated over three sessions. One of the weeks we had a guest from Hospice Quinte who offered a worthwhile presentation on their important work in hospice and palliative care.
I was struck by the wisdom and courage of the participants, many of whom have experienced loss and are aware of their own mortality as elders. We talked about our belief in a God of justice and mercy which opened discussion about the importance of both protecting the most vulnerable in society and respecting the desire of individuals not to extend life in the face of suffering.
I spoke about the importance of "slow ethics", taking sufficient time and engaging in rigorous reflection in decision-making regarding MAID, as well as the precautionary principle of not changing legislation without due reflection. My sense is that most of us felt that MAID should be a possibility and a surprising number of the participants knew someone who had made this choice or had initiated the process.
At the same time there was considerable concern about including mental illness as a category for MAID, a subject which has been increasingly in the news because legislation has been introduced which would include it as of March, 2023. It has been rightly pointed out that in Canada far too many people do not have adequate access to mental health care and not surprisingly psychiatrists and other mental are providers are expressing deep concern.
With the changes in legislation Canada will arguably have the broadest provisions for MAID in the world. This may seem compassionate or merciful, but where is the justice for those who are struggling with chronic physical or mental illness? MAID shouldn't be the only way forward or out for those who cannot access the supports they need.
I don't understand why David Lametti, minister of justice and attorney general in Canada is so set on enacting theses changes to the legislation when it is apparent that there is concern that it has been introduced too fast and goes too far.
As individual Christians and Christian communities we probably need to speak up on behalf of those who are too often not heard. Yes, we can support dignified dying, but what about dignified living for all in our society?
The United Church of Canada issued a statement regarding the original legislation passed in 2016, and offered an update in 2020. Here is a portion of the first UCC response and the update in 2020
We are not opposed in principle to the
legislation allowing assistance in dying and to such assistance being the
informed, free choice of terminally ill patients. There are occasions where
unrelenting suffering and what we know about the effect of pain on the human
body can make Medical Assistance in Dying a preferable option. However, we urge
a cautious approach by legislators and medical professionals implementing these
laws, as well as by individuals, families and communities of faith who are
considering making use of this new legislative option. To this end, we advocate
community-focused and theologically robust discernment on a case-by-case basis
that also ensures the protection and care of those potentially made vulnerable
by this new law and others like it.
On May 25, 2020, the General Council Executive accepted recommendations to update the church’s statement on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
The revised statement
includes the following updates:
- that the criterion of
“foreseeable death” for access to Medical Assistance in Dying be
maintained
- that ending suffering due to
mental illness not be a category for MAID, and that the church advocate
for increased mental health resources
- that advance directives in
relation to MAID not be permitted
- for mature minors, capacity to
make a decision for MAID be judged on a case-by-case basis, by medical
professionals in consultation with family and community.
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