Columns

MY CUP IS HALF FULL

MARK PICKUP

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is an advisory body to the European Union. Based in Strasbourg, France, PACE's pronouncements on human rights issues are highly influential in the European Union.

At the end of January, PACE passed a resolution that made a strong statement against euthanasia. Although PACE has no legislative authority, the resolution may prove to be a strong tool for Europe's pro-life advocates to resist further euthanasia acceptance, such as Holland and Belgium have done.

The PACE resolution states, in part: "Euthanasia, in the sense of the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his alleged benefit, must always be prohibited."

Later in the document it said, "surrogate decisions that rely on general value judgments present in society should not be admissible and, in case of doubt, the decision must always be pro-life and the prolongation of life" (My emphasis.)

Wow! I hope European Union member countries heed this document and enact its principles into law or use it to strengthen existing social policy and legislation against euthanasia.

We must not forget Europe's sad experience with euthanasia dating back 70 years. The Nazi's euthanasia program killed thousands of mentally and physically handicapped Germans. It paved the way for the Final Solution.

CNS PHOTO | GREGORY SHEMITZ

There are still people alive who remember those dark and terrible years. Was it perhaps a collective cultural memory that inadvertently helped fuel the PACE resolution? After all, it would be a terrible thing to discover that people learned nothing from history.

Whatever the underlying motivation, Europe's disabled and incurably ill citizens should be grateful for this timely document from such a prestigious assembly.

CHERISH EACH LIFE

If society does not protect and cherish every life, then ultimately no life is guaranteed protection. Look what happened with widespread abortion acceptance over the past 40 years. It resulted in a holocaust of unprecedented proportions.

In the midst of shifting social values that blow to and fro with every breeze of fashionable thinking, the Catholic Church has stood resolute and firm in defence of all human life from conception to natural death. There have been times when it seemed the Catholic Church stood alone for the value of human life.

Catholic teaching is unequivocal in its opposition to euthanasia. About direct euthanasia, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists of putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable" (n. 2277).

It is not necessary to kill a person to eliminate suffering. Modern pain medications and techniques can control virtually all pain. In fact, Ottawa end-of-life specialist Dr. John Scott has said complete pain relief can be achieved with careful attention and proper use of multiple drugs and therapies.

Treating physicians must be educated in the latest pain control techniques and be supported by trained health care professionals. Scott noted that unrelieved pain can be traced back to problems with education or lack of resources.

PALLIATIVE CARE

This is important to understand when considering end-of-life issues. The best way to counter demands for euthanasia is to ensure up-to-date palliative care and supports are available to people when required.

Incurably ill or dying people need to know that their symptoms will be well controlled, that their emotional and spiritual pain will be addressed - not only for themselves but also their families.

In my last column (WCR, Jan. 30), I said divine love overcomes fear. People with incurable or terminal illnesses need God's love. Their fear of being a burden or being abandoned will subside in the knowledge of God's sustaining love.

It is so important for Christians to be reflectors of God's love, in a spirit of service. When we befriend and journey with those who suffer, it is possible that they may see their dying as the last phase of living.

Dying time can be good time. Bonds with loved ones can be strengthened or renewed. A person's final days can be a time for reconciliation with God and others. Euthanasia robs people of that natural conclusion to life when a person can discover that love really can overcome fear.