Will you become a victim to "THE CULTURE OF DEATH" or will you support "THE CULTURE OF LIFE" before it is too late? The "THE CULTURE OF DEATH" disregards the sanctity and dignity of life and supports efforts to legalize euthanasia. St. Augustine wrote over 1500 years ago: "it is never licit to kill another: even if he should wish it, indeed if he request it because, hanging between life and death, he begs for help in freeing the soul struggling against the bonds of the body and longing to be released; nor is it licit even when a sick person is no longer able to live."

According to the 1980 declaration from the Vatican, Jura et Bona, "EUTHANASIA", or "MERCY KILLING" is defined as an action or an omission which of itself or by intention causes death, in order that all suffering may in this way be eliminated. The Second Vatican Council declared, "Euthanasia and willful suicide" are "offenses against life itself" which "poison civilization"; they "debase the perpetrators more than the victims and militate against the honor of the Creator".

Euthanasia is happening now and becoming increasingly accepted. The current path we are on will lead to the massive elimination of the elderly and anyone else considered to be a burden to society. We do not have the "RIGHT" to decide when our life will end anymore than we have a choice when it began. A government authority, a doctor, or a relative is not the master over life and death and does not have the "RIGHT" to decide when it should begin or end. Moreover, we have no right to ask for the elimination of our own life or for those entrusted to our care. The "KILLING" of an innocent human being is an attack on humanity.

There are those who advocate that the pagan practice of "MERCY KILLING" is to alleviate suffering. This false compassion is used as an excuse to eliminate those considered a burden on society. A human being always has a "RIGHT TO LIFE" which no medical, political or religious entity has the "RIGHT" to take away. True compassion is the sharing of another's suffering and it does not kill the person because of a desire to end their suffering. We are obliged to provide every "ORDINARY" treatment or procedure which provides some benefit to the patient without excessive burden or hardship. However, we must consider the medical and moral aspects of the situation. You should consult your clergyman when such situations arise.

The Declaration of Independence proclaims our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If our basic "RIGHT TO LIFE" is eliminated than all of our rights will be diminished. As a society we cannot accept the destruction of our medical tradition maintaining a boundary between healing and killing. Catholics and non-catholics must fight to maintain human dignity and reject efforts to legalize euthanasia or you may become a victim of it. While we still have a choice we must support "THE CULTURE OF LIFE" and reject the "CULTURE OF DEATH".

 

 

Source: Declaration on Euthanasia 1980, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, No. 27, Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops