Dear People of Hamilton Diocese,

I write to bring to your attention a matter of grave importance that calls for our prayer and action. Our federal Parliament could very well be soon debating the issue of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

In June 2005, a private member’s Bill (Bill C-407) was given first reading in the House of Commons. Reports indicate that it will likely be given some priority by the federal government. Indeed, the Attorney General of Canada had declared some months ago that it was time to look closely at the case of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Promoters will undoubtedly seek to frame this debate in terms of compassion for those who are suffering. However, true compassion consists in alleviating suffering and in showing special respect to the dignity of a person whose life is weakened. It does not and cannot consist in bringing that person’s life to an unnatural end. In fact, what is proposed by the Bill is the taking of a human life when a person is most vulnerable.

A recent statement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued in response to Bill C-407, makes the following point: “At the moment a basic question is being asked: Can Canadians, who are so concerned about abuse against the sick, the elderly, the handicapped and the vulnerable, entertain the possibility of legalizing the most extreme abuse, killing another person?”

In our Catholic tradition, life is a gift from God and is, therefore, to be respected and protected from conception to natural death. Please contact the Prime Minister and your Member of Parliament to make clear your opposition to any effort to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. We must act without delay.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

BISHOP OF HAMILTON