Physician-Assisted
Suicide
Statement of the Catholic Health
Association
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 5 -- The Catholic
Health Association of the United States (CHA) has issued the following
statement in response to the defeat of Measure 51, which now allows assisted
suicide in Oregon.
The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) is
greatly saddened by yesterday's defeat of Measure 51 in Oregon. Our conviction
about the sanctity and dignity of life leads us to reject the premise that
assisted suicide is a response to the needs of terminally-ill persons.
Legalizing assisted suicide is the simplistic, wrong answer to a difficult and
complex problem. Appropriate and compassionate care for persons with
life-threatening illness has been and continues to be our primary concern.
Catholic tradition distinguishes between the forgoing of life-sustaining
treatment, which may be appropriate, and helping persons commit suicide, which
is always unacceptable.
The legalization of assisted suicide creates potential moral
and legal dilemmas for Catholic healthcare providers in Oregon. The law makes
it difficult for Catholic organizations to sustain an environment where
appropriate and compassionate care is possible. We urge the governor and the
legislature to amend the law to include an adequate conscience clause.
Catholic healthcare providers are dedicated to improving
comprehensive services to persons with life-threatening illness and their
families. Catholic healthcare strives to be a caring alternative to those who
might consider assisted suicide. We do so through improved pain management, as
well as care for the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of every
person.
The St. Louis-based Catholic Health Association of the United
States represents more than 1,200 Catholic-sponsored facilities and
organizations nationwide. The members make up the nation's largest group of
not-for-profit healthcare facilities under a single form of sponsorship.
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