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Archives NYS Catholic Conference leads fight against assisted suicide
A matter of life and death

Jan. 13, 2016

By Colleen Miner
Staff Writer

Loudonville, N.Y.  – Representatives from the Diocese of Ogdensburg were among Catholics throughout New no assisted suicide York State who attended a “Stop Assisted Suicide” conference sponsored by the New York State Catholic Conference Nov. 7.

The day began with a welcome by Kathleen Gallagher, director of Pro-Life Activities for the Catholic Conference, and an opening prayer and remarks by the Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany.

“It’s not us versus them,” Bishop Scharfenberger said. “You can’t educate someone if you don’t love them first.”

From the doctors
One of the day’s presentations featured a doctor’s perspective from Dr.  John G. O’Brien, president of the Syracuse Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.

He told the participants that  the House of Delegates of the Medical Society of the State of New affirmed a policy against physician-assisted suicide.

The medical society is the professional membership organization representing physicians in the state. The resolution reads in part: “Compelling arguments have not been made for medicine to change its footing and to incorporate the active shortening of life into the norms of medical practice.”

This is important because the Medical Society’s policy tends to guide laws concerning health issues, he said. When the Medical Society in California removed its opposition to assisted suicide, the law shortly followed.

Patients’ perspective
James JJ Hanson, husband, father, former Marine and president of the Patients Rights Action Fund (www.patientsrightsaction.org) shared his story of battling brain cancer after being given only four months to live.

He did not give up on life and today is in remission. His inspiring video is at the above link;; his biographyis published  at www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org.

Carmelite Sister M. Peter Lillian, Director of the Avila Institute of Gerontology spoke about bringing Christ to those who are experiencing advancing illness.

Sister Lillian said “You need to listen. They want to know two things: that they are loved and that their life has meaning. Bring hope with compassion.”

Legislative flaws
Edward Mechmann, Esq., Public Policy Director for the Archdiocese of New York shared the fatal flaws in the doctor-assisted suicide legislation currently in the health committee of both houses in NYS.

The Patient Self Determination Act and End of Life Choices Act do not require psychiatric counseling, just the opinion of the doctor who determines capacity of the person. This is a weak standard because the person making the decision is also the person prescribing the lethal drug.

He said “Would you trust Dr. Kevorkian?” The bills have poor witness requirements, inadequate conscience protection, no protection for the patients at the time they take the lethal drugs and requires a false statement on death certificates.

Assisted suicide deaths are listed as “terminal illness” which makes it impossible to track by hiding the truth and has no accountability.

At the Catholic Conference
Mrs.Gallagher wrapped up the day with some facts. The two assisted suicide bills are active for two years with the legislative year running from January until June.

Typically the first three months of the year are dedicated to the budget, she explained.

“No one can predict what may happen, but there is time to educate so when it does come up, we are ready,” she said.

Those in attendance were asked to use the words “assisted suicide” when referring to these bills.

“Do not use the language others use to sugar-coat this dangerous legislation: death with dignity, end of life options, patient self-determination or aid in dying,” she said.

“Assisted suicide bills have failed more than 120 times over the past 10 years until they were reworded and presented in a positive light,” Mrs. Gallagher said, “Five states have succeeded to make it a choice:  Oregon, Vermont, Montana, Washington and most recently California.”

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