In response to the unfortunate passing of California’s harmful
Physician-Assisted Suicide Law, we vow to strengthen our palliative care and
other health care services for the chronically and terminally ill, so that no
one we treat feels compelled to choose assisted suicide. Through our health
care professionals and the care and compassion of all people of goodwill, we
will continue to lovingly attend, accompany and care for the terminally ill on
their final journey. (California Bishops, June 9, 2016)
The following resources are available to help in responding with love, mercy, and accompaniment to those on their final journey:
- Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide Legislation from California Catholic Conference of Bishops (June 9, 2016)
- Guidance on Pastoral Care
- A Response to Requests for Physician-Assisted Suicide
- OC Catholic – Church Calls for Faith, Courage and Compassion at Life’s End
- California’s Physician-Assisted Suicide Law – Talking Points
- Physician-Assisted Suicide: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
“To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. In particular, Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny. Today, however, many people fear the dying process. They are afraid of being kept alive past life’s natural limits by burdensome medical technology. They fear experiencing intolerable pain and suffering, losing control over bodily functions, or lingering with severe dementia. They worry about being abandoned or becoming a burden on others.”
– To Live Each Day with Dignity, USCCB 2011
OVERVIEW
- Euthanasia – Church Teaching, Info, and Statements (USCCB)
- USCCB Statement on Physician Assisted Suicide
- Californians Against Assisted Suicide
PRAYER
- Prayers for the End of Life, (for renewed strength, for the sick, for the elderly, for those about to die, intercessions)
- Prayers for the End of Life,
Californians Against Assisted Suicide
October 12, 2015: California Bishops Issue New Statement on Legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide. Read the statement here.
Below are the statements on the signing of the assisted suicide bill by the California Catholic Conference and Cardinal O’Malley.
Cardinal O’Malley: California Legalization of Assisted Suicide a Great Tragedy for Human Life
OTHER RESOURCES
- Death with Dignity and the Gift of Palliative Care by Dr. Vincent D. Nguyen, DO, CMD
- USCCB Life Issues Forum: Dependent
- Foro Asunto de Vida de la USCCB: Dependiente
- Physician-Assisted Suicide: Improving the Debate
- To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide
- Life Matters: Doctor-Assisted Death By Suicide from the USCCB
- La vida importa: El suicidio asistido médicamente de los obispos de EEUU
A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW (find your legislator, additional info)
PASTORAL CARE
- Embracing Our Dying– a resource for Catholics Facing End of Life Issues.
- Pastoral Guide to End of Life
- Una Guía Pastoral para Decisiones al Final de la Vida
- Hospice Care in Orange County
* Recursos en Español Sobre SB128 – Suicidio Asistido*
Learn more and share at http://stephaniesjourney.org/
Californians Against Assisted Suicide
Californians Against Assisted Suicide is a coalition made up of dozens of organizations with many different backgrounds, tactics and goals, but united in one
purpose: to defeat the legalization of Physician Assisted Suicide.
Californians Against Assisted Suicide Coalition Statement on New Senate Bill (SB128)
- Letter by UC Irvine Medical School Associate Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Aaron Kheriaty about SB 128 and impacts of the assisted suicide legalization on society
- Letter of opposition distributed to the Legislature featuring coalition partners
- Californians Against Assisted Suicide Opposition Kit
Selected articles by representatives of member organizations:
- Assisted Suicide Places Most Vulnerable At Risk, Aaron Kheriaty, M.D., and Paul McHugh, M.D. (Orange County Register, February 12, 2015)
- We Should Think Twice About ‘Death With Dignity’, Ira Byock, M.D. (L. A. Times, February 2, 2015)
- Dr. Death Makes a Comeback, by Paul McHugh, M.D. (The Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2015)
- Assisted Suicide Is Bad Medicine, by Marilyn Golden (The Sacramento Bee, November 5, 2014)
OTHER RESOURCES
April 11th Dignity and Courage at the End of Life Conference
- Summary of Conference and Video Presentations
- Handout on Assisted Suicide (Physician’s Speak Out, Life’s Gift & Death’s Meaning)
- Assisted Suicide Laws in Oregon and Washington: What Safeguards? (2015)
- Maggie’s Story (shown at conference)
- Terminally ill O.C. mom says assisted suicide is a bad idea (SoCal Public Radio story on Stephanie Packer who shared her story at “Dignity and Life” Conference
- PowerPoint presentation from “Dignity and Life” Conference
- Agenda from the Conference
FOR PARISHES: Diocese of Orange response to Senate Bill 128, California’s Assisted Suicide Proposal
Please look over the following materials from the Diocese of Orange regarding the SB128 Proposal:
- Messages from the Diocese of Orange – English/Spanish/Vietnamese
- Frequently Asked Questions – English/Spanish/Vietnamese
- Position Statement – English/Spanish/Vietnamese
- Talking Points – English/Spanish/Vietnamese
- Assisted Suicide Handout