The following comes from a Feb. 14 editorial in the Los Angeles Times.
The Belgian government this week approved new measures allowing the euthanasia of terminally ill children, a decision that on first reading would make most of us gasp.
It is a distressing concept, and the idea of helping a child die sounds incredibly cold and morally and ethically unsound — until you dive into the issue. While it raises painful and conflicting emotions, and choices, the Belgians — who have pushed assisted suicide to the edge before — are on the right, groundbreaking track.
As one might expect, it was a highly controversial issue, and the bill was opposed by the Roman Catholic Church as well as some pediatricians. From the Guardian:
The law lifts Belgium’s age restrictions on euthanasia and can sanction it where children have a terminal and incurable illness, are near death, and suffering “constant and unbearable physical” pain, and where parents and professionals agree to the choice.
The law was opposed by some Belgian paediatricians and the country’s leading Roman Catholic cleric.
The law will come into effect when signed by Belgium’s monarch, King Philippe, who is not expected to oppose the measure.
The decision to proceed with each proposal of euthanasia will also have be agreed to by a treating physician and an outsider brought in to give a second opinion.
Children will have to be interviewed by a pediatric psychiatrist or psychologist, who must determine that the child possesses “the capacity of discernment,” and then certify that in writing.
The issue boils down to what steps should be allowed to alleviate the suffering of terminally ill patients who are in great pain and choose to end their lives at a timing of their own choosing, rather than waiting for nature (medically extended as it might be) to take its course. Five U.S. states recognize physician-assisted suicide, or “aid in dying,” as proponents call it. California is not among them, despite several attempts to get such laws through the legislature. The Times’ editorial board has gone on record supporting the right of terminally ill patients to end their lives on their own terms, and I hope state lawmakers — or voters — eventually agree.
And that right should extend to children, in tightly controlled circumstances and with legal protections. I suggest a system, much like the Belgians approved, in which the child (first and foremost), the child’s parents or guardians, the attending physician and a court-appointed lawyer, medical doctor or psychologist acting as the child’s agent all agree that assisting the death is the humane thing to do.
It’s not an easy conclusion to reach. But if we believe that it is humane to give terminally ill adults the right to end their lives with medical help, how can we not extend that ability to terminally ill minors? Because of their age, they should be forced to suffer more than an adult?
Yes, there are sound reasons why we do not entrust the young with significant life decisions, and why we carve out exceptions for criminal behavior in recognition of their inability to often not understand the full weight and repercussions of their actions. But for a child facing death in the short term, and in agony, we as a society should enable the child’s right to die with the least amount of suffering — under the protocol (or a variation) suggested above.
Even if the concept chills us to the bones.
To read the original story, click here.
Yeah well, the LA Times probably thinks hell sounds like a fun place too. The Culture of Death is never satisfied, do not be deceived by this latest grasp at legalized killing. No one is safe from death peddlers, whatever problem you have, or will have, will be reason enough to kill you, with or without your consent. Do not let the mass media be your moral compass, their direction only points to the fires of hell.
No. This is immoral. This is wrong. I’m shocked that California Catholic Daily would print this. NO! NO! NO! No to killing children!
The principle moral responsibility for the proper use of the media of social communication falls on newsmen, writers, actors, designers, producers, displayers, distributors, operators and sellers, as well as critics and all others who play any part in the production and transmission of mass presentations. It is quite evident what gravely important responsibilities they have in the present day when they are in a position to lead the human race to good or to evil by informing or arousing mankind.
Inter Mirifica
Up until 1970, when James Francis Cardinal McIntyre was archbishop of Los Angeles, the Times was always fairly conservative, and treated the Catholic Church with respect. Once Cardinal McIntyre retired, and Cardinal Manning replaced him, things began to change, and not for the better. Had such Nazi like statements been made up until 1970, the cardinal would have demanded a boycott of the newspaper. But now we all want to get along, and sing songs around the campfire with those agents of Satan. What would Christ have done? He would have told His followers to have nothing to do with the Times Mirror Corporation, and with others who have no respect for His creation. Shame on the Times, and double shame on those Catholics who will do nothing to stop the killing of the innocent.
See the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition’ for accurate Church teaching on euthanasia, pain, palliative care, organ donation, cremation, etc.
Adults of all ages should have a Power of Attorney for Health Care and written instructions that adhere to teachings of the Church.
As we near the end of life is no time to stray from Christ and His Church.
This is crazy. On one hand the government will step in and take a child away from the parents for refusing certain medical treatments, but on the other hand they now want to allow children to end their lives with the approval of parents.
Yes, Lisag, it is kind of schizoid, and these newspapers wonder why they are getting smaller and smaller. The one in our area shrunk to half its size after the editorials got so disgusting and anti traditional family, and they blame it all on the computer news, which is wrong for the most part. They just do not get it.
We (Children of God–Catholics) do not believe that it is humane to give terminally ill adults the right to end their lives with medical help AND we certaintly do not believe that a child should be “put down”. Humans are not animals. The body may be dying but the spirit of the human lives on. God will take each of us in HIS own time. Man must stop playing GOD. Suffering is a part of our earthly life, when we unite our suffering with Our Lord, it is for the greater good (I am speaking about the patient and those who love him/her).
This is beyond disgusting. Give me a break on “guidelines”: any sufficiently clever adult can convince a child of anything (just study the records of pedophiles). This is not about easing pain, it’s about saving money for a slowly self-bankrupting health care system that does not want to care for anyone no longer capable of pulling his own (economic) weight. What is allowed here will not remain merely “allowed”: it will become mandatory to end the life of these “incurables” and insurance polices (including Obama-care) will be rewritten accordingly. “If they are about to die, let them do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Scott Martelle’s piece in the LA Times shows the emotionally raw extremes that the left (and Satan) will use to test the vulnerable. Look at the abortion debate: if your Mom/Sister/Wife were attacked by bikers (or aliens), would you want them to be foreced to bear the resulting child? — stuff like that. The mortal illness of a child is beyond painful, and there are no easy answers. Having the state sanction child suicide, however, cannot be the answer. Martelle is only one of an endless line of opinion givers to argue that life is expendable, cheap even. Unarguably cruel circumstances are given as a pretext to support the taking of a life. In any way — any way — that Satan can use to support murder, particularly where the parents are involved, the Faithful must be strong and recognize what is at stake. It is not the child’s suffering that matters, real though it is, but the complicity of the parents and state in agreeing how to take an innocent life. How slippery the slope will become will be seen soon enough: when the argument turn to parents, or the state, asking unilaterally to OK the taking of a child’s life: then, what about “quality of life” issues — many already argue that all are better off when children (or the old, or the “other”) with certain afflictions are “put to rest.” Take a look at some of the Nazi, “Neuses Volk” magazines and the stress on both racial and physical purity. Research more and read about the Nazi “T-4” program, where, as a foretaste of the “Final Solution,” tens of thousands of children and adults were killed (much of the publicity focuses on the cost to society, and emotional burden to the family, of having these “deformed ones” living). Beware of opinions like those of the LA Times and Mr. Martelle. Remember that even Rosemary, in “Rosemary’s Baby,” ultimately decided to keep and nurture her child.
Euthanasia will be spread throughout the world, unless our Bishops (and Priests) start educating Catholics. Literate Catholics must be encouraged to study the Bible and “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” at HOME.
The CCC explains the reasons “why”.
The Church can not win hearts and minds when it does not teach until it becomes an issue.
Euthanasia, palliative care, organ donation and organ transplants, cremation, are all included in the “CCC 2nd Ed”.
No surprise. Ultra-lefty Nick Goldberg is the editor of the editorial page.
I think the LA Times has been in and out of bankruptcy several times and always on the brink of oblivion.
Everyone knows that the LA Times is pitched to the wealthy West side, including Big Bucks Hollywood—all Lefties who like to control the immoral Zeitgeist.
Think about it. Think about the abuse this proposal for death on demand could promote . When a person is at life’s end it is a most sacred and poignant time for that person and those who love and care. In today’s medical field, a person can go through the last stages of life with pain medication given as needed and not to primarily hasten death. Think about it.
What was about the Brooklyn Bridge?
I once had an oncologist who was a relative of another oncologist who wrote in the diocesan newspaper at that time that he had never had a patient who had asked him to kill him/her. He said that if oncologists were properly trained no patient should be in such unbearable pain that they would want to have their life taken. Too many people listen to others who know nothing about oncology and rely on men such as Dr. Kavorchian, who was not even an oncologist but a pathologist, and not enough people are being properly trained in oncology. It is all about money.
When pain and symptom management is an issue with terminally ill patients, bring in hospice. It’s what we do.
amen
Well, the L.A. Times agrees with baby-butchering Obama and all those “Catholics” who voted for him. So why is this news?
Cardinal McIntyre was one of a generation of the last truly Catholic prelates, who led the Church and society properly, with Christ’s Authority!! How I MISS that!! Our news media used to have many morally decent Americans who were raised with respect for God, proper Christian morals, and church attendance! Even if some did not lead a morally good life– they still had respect for God, knew right from wrong, and would never publically defend something evil!! People of long ago, were also much better educated, in both public schools and Catholic schools. I think a major Los Angeles newspaper owner, who was a firm believer in Christ, helped Billy Graham get his start, simply by publishing news stories of his successful Crusades! He used the power of the press rightfully, to help spread Christ’s message! The Catholic Church has a duty to use Christ’s Authority, in strong leadership– to combat Evil in the world!! Our Church used to be very firm, on this matter, and had enormous RESPECT, as a result!! How I MISS that!! We need our Church’s strong, firm leadership so desperately, in today’s evil world!! Why can’t our post-Vatican II popes and prelates understand this?? Our Church could easily combat millions of evils, all over the world, and totally rectify a HUGE number of problems, simply with firm, strong unyielding, old-fashioned, manly Authority and good leadership!!
Linda,
You won’t get that kind of spritual leadership from the likes of Kasper and others of his ilk! He is being called on to give a speech, and this is what it will be, a speech, at the coming Synod!
Pray the Family Rosary for the Church!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
In the early 1950s, one of my grandfathers, a much-loved man, who did a lot of good for others, died of Cancer. His final years were extremely painful! He had shots of morphine, to help him endure the terrible pain. The morning he passed away, at his home, our grandmother told all the children that the holy angels came for his soul, and took his soul to Heaven. We all thought our grandmother actually saw the angels come and get his soul, at the moment of death, and take it up to Heaven! We were in awe! My grandfather’s final suffering and death had great pain for him, and for everyone– but also, great meaning! His funeral was attended by hundreds of people! How we all cried and cried! Yet, we knew our beloved grandfather was with God, at last! No more suffering! In that era, people were more humble, more human, and lived more by religious faith, as well as natural, practical, common “horse sense.” Life was slower then, with good values of faith and family, and with less science and technology. Before God, and the great mystery of Life– people were more humble and natural. Church teaching was strict, on matters of life, illness, suffering, and death– and the fact that we are all pilgrims on Earth, striving for Heaven! I believe that our pre-Vatican II Church needed to be more loving. However, our Church’s teaching was truthful, well-ordered, clear, and strong, giving the Catholic Faithful something to live by– and to handle suffering and death by! It could give peace, peace of mind, body, and soul! All life’s events had meaning! All was in the hands of God! “Only God can make a life, and only God can take a life!” “Thou shalt not kill!” In times of great pain and temptation– pray, look up at the crucifix on the wall, think of Christ’s suffering, say your Rosary– and go call for the priest! Do you feel God has abandoned you? Have you lost your faith? Do you want to end your life? Go get the priest!