Seminarian tells fellow brain-cancer victim: ‘our lives are worth living’

October 31, 2014

A young woman with brain cancer has announced that she has moved to Oregon so that she may legally undergo euthanasia-- prompting a response from Philip Johnson, a Raleigh seminarian with brain cancer.

“Suffering is not worthless, and our lives are not our own to take,” writes Johnson. “As humans we are relational-- we relate to one another and the actions of one person affect others. Sadly, the concept of “redemptive suffering”-– that human suffering united to the suffering of Jesus on the Cross for our salvation can benefit others-– has often been ignored or lost in modern times.”

The woman has decided to delay her suicide because “still have enough joy … that it doesn’t seem like the right time right now,” the Associated Press reported.

 

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Further information:

• Terminally ill woman may postpone taking her life (AP)
• Dear Brittany: Our Lives Are Worth Living, Even With Brain Cancer (Diocese of Raleigh)