Canadian bishops, pro-life advocates welcome report on palliative care

November 18, 2011

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and Canada’s Euthanasia Prevention Coalition have welcomed the publication of “Not to be Forgotten: Care of Vulnerable Canadians,” a report by a parliamentary committee.

Calling palliative care “a basic human right,” the authors of the report found that the majority of those who need such care do not receive it.

“Our Conference has repeatedly and clearly affirmed that everyone is responsible for the wellbeing of others until their natural deaths,” said Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, president of the CCCB. “Palliative and compassionate care is an essential priority. It respects the dignity of all people, and responds to all dimensions of their humanity, including the spiritual.”

“Furthermore, it responds to the most basic hopes and concerns of all humanity – that each dying person be assured of compassion, comfort, support and a human presence in ways that truly respect and protect the dignity and beauty of human life,” he added.

 

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Further information:

• Statement by CCCB President, the Most Reverend Richard Smith, on the Report by the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care (CCCB)
• As court considers euthanasia, 55 Canadian MPs call for ‘quality end-of-life care’ (LifeSiteNews.com)
• Full text of report