Let's Keep Talking About the End of Life & Christian Faith

 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

                                            John 11:32-36 NRSVue

There have been an overwhelming number of articles, opinion pieces, interviews about Medical Assistance in Dying since the beginning of 2023. I have been doing my best to stay informed and consider the array of issues, but it's difficult to keep up. During our well attended study group on Medical Assistance in Dying last Fall at Trenton United we attempted to consider as many the considerations as possible. We spent a whole session on palliative and hospice care with an excellent guest from Hospice Quinte and then arranged a tour of the facility. 

Some of the voices raising concerns are ethicists, advocates for those with chronic illnesses, psychiatrists, and pastors/theologians. The majority are articulate and asking the questions which need to be asked. No doubt they influenced Justice Minister David Lametti in deferring new legislation on MAiD until March of 2024 which would have allowed assisted death for those with mental illness. It's been suggested, rightly it seems to me, that Canada already has some of the broadest MAiD legislation in the world and the changes would have taken us into a whole new realm. 

One article criticizes the United and Anglican churches for not categorically condemning assisted dying although the author does not bother to quote the offical United Church statement. Nor does he talk about providing opportunities for Christians to enter into conversation on what can be an emotional and contentious subject. He praises the stance of the Roman Catholic church, a denomination in which an Alberta bishop instructed priests not to perform Christian funerals for those who chose MAiD -- how is that for compassion? 

Some critics of MAiD make it sound as though people are being coerced, practically dragged from their homes and summarily executed by heartless MAiD doctors. There doesn't seem to be much discussion of how we have developed medical technology to increase longevity without addressing quality of life. It just isn't helpful. Is it a mortal sin to hasten death for some, but not a sin to medically intervene to extend life for those who suffer? 

I have just finished reading The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying by Dr. Jean Marmoreo, with Johanna Schneller. Dr. Marmoreo has been a MAiD provider since it became legal after 40+ years of medical practice. She viewed doing so as a way of continuing the journey of medical care with patients to the end of life, but she prepared herself by spending a year and half in additional training in palliative medicine as part of her preparation.  

When the library let me know the book was available I almost didn't pick it up because there is so much out there on the subject these days. I am now really grateful that I have read it because of Dr. Marmoreo's description of her experience and honesty about her own misgivings and learning along the way, acknowledging the concerns and reservations expressed by many. 

She does not address the religious aspects of this discussion and practice, but I still found it really worthwhile. Marmoreo and Schneller are an excellent story-telling team. Dr. Marmoreo continues in her conviction that MAiD should be an option for Canadians but as a compassionate person and physican she doesn't shie away from the issues, including our lack of societal support for those with chronic health problems. 

Death and grieving death are both grim realities and profound mysteries which we cannot fully comprehend. We hear about this in today's Lenten gospel reading and we are reminded that Jesus, the Christ, our resurrection hope, wept at the loss of his friend. 

In our study group we attempted to explore the subject of Medical Assistance in Dying within the context of our relationship with a God of justice, and a God of mercy. I do hope that the United Church continues to respond to MAiD legislation in this country and that all of us make the effort to be informed.  

The Resurrection of Lazarus --Henry Ossawa Tanner