The following comes from an March 28 Orange County Register article by Roger Smith:
Compassion and Choices, the nonprofit that has been advocating for the passage of the End of Life law, has maintained that terminally ill individuals should have the right to choose the time of their death.
But faith leaders with significant followings in Orange County say the legislation will do more harm than good. Several of them spoke at an April 11 conference at Servite High School in Anaheim sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange opposing Senate Bill 128, or the End of Life legislation. If passed, the law would give terminally ill Californians the right to end their lives with a lethal drug.
Even though the California law may be well-intentioned, whatever safeguards are built in likely will disappear with time, said Orange County Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin Vann at Saturday’s conference, titled “Dignity and Courage at the End of Life.”
Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren, who spoke on a panel at the event, warned people not to be apathetic about the issue.
“I oppose this law as a theologian and as the father of a son who took his life after struggling with mental illness for 27 years,” he said.
Matthew Warren, 27, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 5, 2013.
Warren gave several examples of episodes in the Bible where Moses, Elijah, Jonah and Job begged God to take their lives and put them out of their misery. But, Warren said, God denied each of their requests because he had bigger and better plans for them.
“The prospect of dying can be frightening,” he said, his voice cracking. “But we belong to God, and death and life are in God’s hands. … We need to make a radical commitment to be there for those who are dying in our lives.”
A few religious denominations remain ambiguous or go all out to support assisted death. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles “does not have a position” on assisted death, said spokesman Robert Williams.
“We have a diversity of opinion among our church members,” he said. Williams added that some members are “very active” in Compassion and Choices, the nonprofit advocating for the End of Life bill.
The Unitarian Universalist Church has taken a position in favor of the law. Rev. Sian Wiltshire, minister at the Orange County Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa, said terminally ill individuals should have the right to choose.
“Our church affirms that life is a wonderful gift,” she said. “But we also believe that there comes a time when that gift is no longer useable. People have the right to do what is right for their bodies.”
Episcopalians and Unitarians have embraced the Culture of Death. Shame on them. It is a slippery slope from this acceptance to when the Government or you darling heirs come to collect your liver or inheritance. Go with St. John Paul II on this one.
This crazy “assisted suicide” idea, is un-Christian, and un-American! It should NEVER be allowed, in medical discussions, as an option for patients! UNTHINKABLE!! A doctor should be put in jail, if they even consider this kind of thing! EVIL!! Only God can make a life– and only God can take a life! We must humbly, obediently, place ourselves in God’s hands, always! Almighty God has a particular moment, when He will call each of us home!
Amen to that Linda Maria i agree. A doctor is suppose to do what it takes to save a life not end it, because that is what it means to be a doctor. Taking a life intentionally is murder.
Remember that when it comes time to VOTE that the 2014 California DEMOCRATIC Party Platform supports (taxpayer paid) euthanasia (coded death with dignity).
“WORTHINESS to RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, General Principles” – Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict)
https://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm
(There is nothing proportionate in the USA today to the murder of approx. 1 MILLION innocent human beings through abortion.)
“VOTERS GUIDE for SERIOUS CATHOLICS” 2004
https://www.politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm
YOUR ROLE AS A CATHOLIC VOTER;
FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLES;
WHICH POLITICAL OFFICES SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT?;
HOW TO DETERMINE A CANDIDATE’S POSITION;
HOW NOT TO VOTE;
HOW TO VOTE;
WHEN THERE IS NO “ACCEPTABLE” CANDIDATE.
Do you hear Bishop Vann telling Rick Warren that his faith road up ahead is out?
Huh?