Notification from: Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington Dear friends, With the legalization of assisted suicide in Vermont on May 20, 2013, we now have a greater responsibility to ensure that those charged with our medical care are familiar with and respectful of our values regarding end-of-life decisions. Catholics, together with many people of good will, profess the sacredness of human life from the first moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Our “heritage holds that life is the gift of a loving God, and that each human being is made in the image and likeness of God. As Christians we also celebrate the fact that we have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and are called to share eternal life. We see life as a sacred trust over which we can claim stewardship, but not absolute dominion.” (US Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB] Declaration on Euthanasia, 1980) Because of the advances in medicine and the ongoing complexity of medical care, the Diocese of Burlington has made available the Vermont Catholic Advance Directive as an aide to Catholics and others who want their care to be based on Catholic teaching. I would encourage you to fill out a Vermont Catholic Advance Directive, and to speak with your Primary Care Physician about your wishes in case of an emergency or life-threatening illness. Now that the law has been put into effect, this is a most appropriate opportunity to inquire of your physicians, pharmacists or nurses as to whether they intend to participate in this law if presented with a request, and to express your deep regret over the law. There is great hesitancy on behalf of doctors, nurses and pharmacists about this law and your questions can serve as a positive reminder that you object to this law. To obtain copies of the Vermont Catholic Advance Directive, or if you are interested in learning more about end-of-life care, please call the Marriage, Family and Respect Life Office at (802) 658-6111 or email [email protected] Thank you
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 02:57:58 +0000
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