Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Catholic voices of dissent amidst push for euthanasia laws in Queensland

byMark Bowling
1 September 2021
Reading Time: 4 mins read
AA
Catholic voices of dissent amidst push for euthanasia laws in Queensland

Dissenting voice: A rally against euthanasia outside the Queensland parliament. Photo: Mark Bowling

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ALBANY Creek parishioner Shirley Strickland stands firm against euthanasia and still hopes a majority of Queensland’s politicians will drop their support for a Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill when it comes to a vote this month.

The 86-year-old was one of a hardy band of Catholics joining a morning rally outside parliament in Brisbane to voice her opposition to VAD, clutching a placard that read: Compassion never kills.

“Just striking a blow for the cause. If we don’t talk about it who will,” Mrs Strickland said above the roar of commuter traffic heading for work.

Protesters waved their placards. Passing motorists sounded their horns.

Standing firm: 86-year-old Shirley Strickland sees no need for euthanasia in Queensland. PHot: Mark Bowling

“I really don’t think the kids understand. If you tell them Nazi Germany started like this … you’re talking to a different generation,” Mrs Strickland said.

“Palliative care is so good these days. There is no need for any of this (euthanasia) at all.”

Other protesters shared Mrs Strickland’s sentiments, voicing their opposition before Queensland’s MPs are expected to start debating the VAD Bill on September 14.

“I think we’ve got to be present and visible to show we don’t support this sort of legislation,” Gary Humphrys from Little Flower Church, Kedron said.

Like many doctors he envisages “unacceptable risks” if MPs vote for euthanasia.

VAD opponent: Gary Humphrys believes in a society that cares for the sick and vulnerable. Photo: Mark Bowling

The proposed laws would override “conscientious objection” by hospitals, nursing homes and medical staff who oppose euthanasia.

Related Stories

Everyone has a right to life, not a right to death, pope says

Queensland crosses the Rubicon by passing laws to legalise euthanasia

Voluntary assisted dying laws pass in Queensland

According to the VAD bill as it stands, if dying patients are too sick or frail to move but are requesting VAD, hospitals could be forced to allow euthanasia in their institutions by handing power to VAD doctors.

Catholic hospitals have vowed to resist allowing doctors to enter their premises to administer end-of-life drugs.

“Hospitals and aged care need to have a right to allow people to have access to palliative care and not have VAD inside their facilities,” Mr Humphreys said.

“There is a definite momentum in the public square [supporting euthanasia], but that does not stop us saying what is right and what is ethically and morally the right thing to do to have compassion and care in our society for those who are most vulnerable.

“Love should rule our hearts and minds and in what Jesus said and how Jesus asked us to love the sick love the vulnerable, love the prisoners and have compassion.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Dissenting voice: MP Dr Mark Robinson says the Queensland government has got the euthanasia issue “very wrong”.

Opposition MP Dr Mark Robinson, also spoke out about the potential impacts of euthanasia.

He was a dissenting voice on the Queensland parliament’s Health and Environment Committee that recommended the VAD bill pass unchanged.

“The government here has got this very wrong and I would welcome any Labor MPs – those that have concerns to just not support this bill,” Dr Robinson said.

“Go back to the drawing board and invest more heavily in palliative care.”

There are many thousands of people who support you, he told the rally.

“We are the underdogs, there’s no question about it. But I’m not giving up. There’s still a chance this can be stopped, the chance the bill could be amended,” he said.

Cherish Life Queensland is organising a public rally against proposed euthanasia laws on September 11. Find out more about the event, March for Life, here.

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Lucky Patterson wins gold in ‘nail biter’ swim at Tokyo pool

Next Post

Archbishop Coleridge urges action to thwart euthanasia laws

Mark Bowling

Mark is the joint winner of the Australian Variety Club 2000 Heart Award for his radio news reporting in East Timor, and has also won a Walkley award, Australia’s most-respected journalism award. Mark is the author of ‘Running Amok’ that chronicles his time as a foreign correspondent juggling news deadlines and the demands of being a husband and father. Mark is married with four children.

Related Posts

Life: Pope Francis embraces a woman during his general audience in the Paul VI hall. Photo: CNS
Vatican

Everyone has a right to life, not a right to death, pope says

10 February 2022
Doctors make ‘dramatic mistakes’, physician warns ahead of Queensland euthanasia vote
QLD

Queensland crosses the Rubicon by passing laws to legalise euthanasia

22 September 2021
Archbishop Coleridge urges action to thwart euthanasia laws
News

Voluntary assisted dying laws pass in Queensland

16 September 2021
Next Post
ACBC president Archbishop Mark Coleridge

Archbishop Coleridge urges action to thwart euthanasia laws

San Sisto College community celebrates 60 years of educating young women

San Sisto College community celebrates 60 years of educating young women

The ‘extraordinary’ stories of three new venerables

The ‘extraordinary’ stories of three new venerables

Popular News

  • Pregnant woman

    Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Angel’s Kitchen serves hot meals to the hungry in Southport

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping