AT the same time the Church was preparing to release a declaration on the horror of euthanasia, the Queensland premier was giving an award for excellence to the team that helped introduce voluntary assisted dying into the state.
The Church declaration Dignitas Infinita (Infinite Dignity), released on April 8, condemned the roll out of euthanasia programs across the western world and the language used by its advocates that claim it supports a person’s dignity.
“Laws permitting euthanasia or assisted suicide are sometimes called ‘death with dignity acts’,” the declaration, signed by Pope Francis, said.
“It must be strongly reiterated that suffering does not cause the sick to lose their dignity, which is intrinsically and inalienably their own.
“Instead, suffering can become an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of mutual belonging and gain greater awareness of the precious value of each person to the whole human family.”
Pope Francis’ declaration comes as a stark contrast to the Government’s recent decision to celebrate euthanasia.
The 2023 Premier’s Awards for Excellence were announced in late March and included a commendation for Queensland Health’s Voluntary Assisted Dying team, which implemented the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021.
The team were presented with the Premier’s Award for Public Sector Excellence for their pivotal role in the implementation of voluntary assisted dying.
The laws came into effect in January 2023 and by June, 600 Queenslanders had entered the euthanasia program.
Queensland was the fifth state to legalise euthanasia against the recommendations from Brisbane archdiocese, the Australian Medical Association, and many other groups.
Church’s view of life
Dignitas Infinita is the latest of a long running theme of Pope Francis’ papacy, which promotes the dignity of all life and the Church’s role in accompanying people on their journey.
The document signed by Pope Francis said even in its “sorrowful state, human life carries a dignity that must always be upheld, that can never be lost, and that calls for unconditional respect”.
“…The dignity of each person, no matter how weak or burdened by suffering, implies the dignity of us all,” it said.
“Death … must be welcomed, not administered.”
The declaration called for efforts to alleviate the suffering of critically or terminally ill people through appropriate palliative care and avoiding aggressive treatments.
This is the dignity the dying deserved, he says, and efforts to aid or cause the suicide of another totally opposes this.
Australian statistics
As the dust settles on the euthanasia debate, data is slowly coming to light.
Victoria was the first state to legalise euthanasia in 2019 and after a brief dip suicide rates, there has since been a sharp increase.
In 2022, the Victorian suicide rate was on par with what it was in 2019, at 11.1 people per 100,000. A state high since 2001.
Other countries have seen the same trends.
Legalised in 2016, the Canadian government has since euthanised nearly 45,000 people.
The most recent data indicate a 31 per cent increase in euthanasia rates between 2021 and 2022, a number experts say is alarming.
In human terms, that’s over 13,000 people euthanized in 2022, making four per cent of all Canadian deaths now attributed to euthanasia.
Like Australian models, the Canadian legislation initially ensured VAD would only be offered to the terminally ill.
Now, Canadian health services offer euthanasia to people suffering from PTSD and suicidal ideation.
The Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers have also discussed the possibility of offering VAD to people suffering from socio-economic issues, like poverty or loneliness.
Dignitas Infinita emphasised the special vulnerability of the elderly and sick in the euthanasia debate.
“Treatment for all must always be prioritised so that the weakest, particularly the elderly and the sick, are never rejected,” it said.
“This ethical principle concerns everyone, not just Christians or believers.”
Dignitas Infinita also reiterates the Church’s position on several other issues affecting human dignity, including abortion and surrogacy.
