Earlier this year, CCSP’s Parent Talk included an article on palliative care and how it is important for us and our children to educate ourselves on the sanctity of human life. The introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill to the NSW Parliament is of great concern to many of CCSP’s members. As this debate unfolds over the coming weeks, it is important for us all be aware of what is literally a life-and-death issue and to pray for an outcome that upholds our common dignity as human persons made in the image and likeness of God.

The Australian Catholic Bishops have addressed this topic and have published some freely available advice that dispels some of the myths that are found in the debate on euthanasia. See https://www.catholic.org.au/bishops-commission-for-pastoral-life/alternative-to-euthanasia

This advice also points out that you can help ensure that Australians are always treated with true dignity and compassion, right up to the point of their death: by talking to your friends, family, colleagues and Members of Parliament about the dangers of euthanasia for our society, and putting forward the alternative pathway of good, readily available palliative care, loving support, and true, life-affirming compassion. We are called to get involved in the debate because this is a debate which affects us all.

For more information and to sign a petition opposing euthanasia, go to HOPE (Preventing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide) at https://www.noeuthanasia.org.au/protect_life_nsw