Most pro-life eyes are currently focused on one particular issue, namely the reversal of Roe v. Wade, etc. Surely this is due to the great hopes it has generated, after decades of prayer, penance, and advocacy…but also in no small part because of the dismal violence ensuing from the pro-abortion hordes (even locally), for which we have started a Rosary Crusade.
However, there is another critical pro-life issue that is spreading subtly, like poison, throughout several U.S. legislatures: euthanasia (assisted suicide).
The letter below comes from Mr. Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (which has a USA chapter). It provides an excellent summary of the situation here in America. With his permission to share, we invite you to read it in detail, bearing in mind that what we are beginning to witness in our Country is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Other countries either already have, or are in the process of approving laws that legalize this killing, not only of adults with full faculties but also of:
- dementia patients (or otherwise incapable of consent);
- suicidal patients;
- people with allergies;
- anxious climate activists;
- individuals who cannot access specific healthcare;
- individuals who cannot afford specific healthcare;
- people who feel isolated or lonely;
- even children! (in some cases without parental consent!)
- the latter, a horrific situation that many would assume extremely rare, is already legal in Belgium and the Netherlands, and it is under discussion in the UK (source).
Not even (pro-life) religious institutions are a safe haven: some countries are already pushing laws forcing religiously affiliated medical institutions to provide euthanasia, and as recently as April we read of a pro-life hospice losing government funding and having its 10-bed hospice building expropriated due to their conscientious objection!
Here’s a visual reminder that Euthanasia is already legal, partially legal, or not illegal in most of the world:
Original file: Michael Jester, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Edited by Br. Bernardo, FFV
[For clarification on the map above, passive euthanasia refers to denying someone, who is not otherwise dying, the basic necessaries of life to intentionally cause their death – and it is not morally acceptable. We will have a more in-depth article on these teachings published in the near future. ]
If we do not take action now – primarily and particularly through prayer and penance, followed by being proactive on these life issues in our ministries – when will we? Will we wait for euthanasia to (continue to) be legalized across the USA? Will it take a new kind of Roe v Wade, this time Euthanasia-centered, for the pro-life movement to stand up and speak up in unison against these evils?
Bear in mind that the Church infallibly upholds the sanctity and dignity of all human life – from conception to natural death!
Without further ado, here’s the letter (click on each page to enlarge!)
[Link to Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/EPCUSA/ Link to Oct. 15 event: https://bit.ly/38CtUYp or click here Another link to promote the Oct. 15 National Conference: https://www.facebook.com/AssistedSuicideConference]
(click to enlarge)
Consider registering for the October 15 conference. We also invite you to follow Mr. Schadenberg’s blog to stay up-to-date, and to consider supporting the EPC’s latest initiative opposing Child Euthanasia: Protect Children’s Lives
Note: if you wish to reproduce something published by the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, all you need to do is ask for permission to 
Franciscans of Life 
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