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Legalize Suicide? Here's Why Not
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March 6, 2024Friends in Christ,
The end-of-life issue is of utmost importance right now in our state.
Lawmakers in Minnesota are working to legalize assisted suicide in our state as it is now in the countries of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, New Zealand, Switzerland, and other parts of the U.S. (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.)
An assisted suicide bill titled "End of Life Option Act" is making its way through the Minnesota state legislature now, and recently just passed, 10-1, in a committee meeting.
As the Respect Life chair at Nativity of Our Lord, I have learned so much by hosting book discussions on life issues over the years.
We just discussed, To Die Well, A Catholic Neurosurgeon (and Deacon)'s Guide to the End of Life, by Stephen Doran. It was filled with important stories, facts, and Church teachings on this very important though not often discussed topic. I highly recommend everyone get a copy.
My biggest takeaways from this book are:- Death comes to us all, no matter our age or state of health.
- Assisted Suicide is NEVER a good option.
- We Catholics believe our lives are not our own, but gifts from God. We are the stewards of our gift of life, what we do with it is our gift to God.
- As Catholics we are blessed to know that through suffering can come good. Redemptive suffering can help others as well as ourselves.
- It is very important to name someone with your values to help make decisions if you are incapacitated.
- It is never too early to create a Catholic Health Care Directive (it is NOT advisable to do a living will or POLST/DNR).
- To die well, one must live well.
Editor's Note: The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Safety Committee will be voting on a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide, with a hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, March 7, at 10:30 AM. Our pastor, Fr. Rolf Tollefson, invites you to attend this hearing and/or contact your representatives beforehand.
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A previous version was published in Image, the ACCW newsletter.
