Ottawa, Canada, Oct 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Legalizing assisted suicide in Canada would be a major social failure, say the Canadian bishops.
On the last day of an annual plenary meeting in Cornwall, Ont., the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops unanimously adopted a resolution opposing bill C-407, or any similar proposal that may emerge, favoring euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The Canadian bishops also called on the government and all members of Parliament to reject this new effort to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Canada and promote better palliative and end-of-life care.
Bloc Québécois MP Francine Lalonde introduced Bill C-407 in mid-June before summer recess. The bill proposes that any medical professional, or a person instructed by a medical professional, can assist a sick patient in their suicide if the patient has, in a lucid state, indicated several times and on different occasions that they want to end their lives.