Running From the Cross

TRANSCRIPT

As respect for human dignity continues to decline nationwide, more states are now considering end-of-life legislation.
In tonight's In-Depth Report, Church Militant's Nick Wylie discusses the increasingly popular issue of assisted suicide.

T. Brian Callister, M.D.: "As much as most insurance companies try to come across as your best friend, they want to do whatever the least costly thing is. It's a lot cheaper to grab a couple drugs and kill you than it is to provide you life-sustaining therapy."

Seven U.S. states are currently discussing the legalization of so-called Medical Aid in Dying. 

The seven states could join 10 others that already legally allow physician-assisted suicide, with some pushing for even looser regulations. 

The states currently considering adopting legal murder are Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. 

In 1994, Oregon became the first state to pass such legislation, later followed by Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico and the District of Columbia. 

A Gallup poll tracking support for euthanasia between 1947 and 2018 reports 72% of Americans support the diabolical practice.

John Kelly, regional director, Not Dead Yet: "No government should take a position that some people lack dignity that is only restorable through death." 

The Catholic Church has always opposed euthanasia as a grave offense against human dignity. 

In 1980, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a document titled, Declaration on Euthanasia, asserting:

It is necessary to state firmly once more that nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying. Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask for this act of killing, either for himself or herself or for another person entrusted to his or her care, nor can he or she consent to it, either explicitly or implicitly.

The CDF instruction goes on to explain the great role of redemptive suffering for the sick and dying: 

According to Christian teaching, however, suffering, especially suffering during the last moments of life, has a special place in God's saving plan; it is in fact a sharing in Christ's passion and a union with the redeeming sacrifice which He offered in obedience to the Father's will.

Fr. Chris Alar, MIC: "Suffering is salvific. Don't waste it. It is a very special gift."

To the world, suffering will never make sense or be acceptable. But to the Catholic, it is a joyful cross to bear and can be offered up as a powerful prayer.

In 2021, over 10,000 people ended their life through euthanasia in Canada, the country with the most permissive laws.