Halifax archbishop calls physician-assisted death 'wrong and immoral'
Roman Catholic Archbishop Anthony Mancini calls doctor-assisted death 'unacceptable, wrong and immoral'
The Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth has called on Catholics to stand up and voice their opposition to physician-assisted dying. A Supreme Court ruling came into effect Monday, effectively rendering the law against the practice unenforceable.
In an open letter to parishioners, read out by priests and deacons during Sunday mass, Archbishop Anthony Mancini exhorted Catholics to stand up for what the church holds to be true.
Physician-assisted dying 'wrong and immoral'
Mancini called physician-assisted death "unacceptable" and "wrong and immoral".
The church leader acknowledged it would mean Catholics would, once again, be championing an unpopular position.
"It is always tempting to find ourselves drawn in by the allure of popular thinking and fall easily into the trap of following the crowd," he wrote in his letter.
"Christians in the past have been in situations where they have had to stand up courageously and at great cost, for what was held to be true."
Choose doctor carefully
Mancini also called on the faithful "to be very attentive in your choice of health care providers; to insist on respect for your Christian values and to dialogue seriously with members of your community and family about your wishes in end of life circumstances."
The letter also includes a demand for better palliative care services in the province.