Toronto, Canada, Aug 18, 2017 / 01:54 am
Conscience protections for Catholic hospitals and other organizations could soon come under fire in the Canadian province of Ontario, with one assisted suicide group saying they may challenge this legislation in court.
Deacon Larry Worthen, executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada, warned that it becomes very difficult to defend objections to assisted suicide once it becomes legal.
"Of course our position would be that there should be no requirement for faith-based institutions to be involved in assisted suicide or euthanasia," the deacon said. "It's appropriate that not only the institution, but the individuals should be protected as well."
"I think that conscientious objection in Canada, unfortunately, hangs by a thread," he told CNA Aug. 17. "There are many of us fighting for this right, but the concern is that in a society where killing a patient is seen to be a compassionate and merciful act, then those who refuse to do it are by definition uncompassionate and uncharitable."