David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill a hot potato
Alleviate suffering Regarding Patricia Butler’s letter (Jan 4), the Catholic Church has always tried to alleviate the suffering of people through its hospitals, charities and volunteers.
Our faith is built on the premise that Christ has ordained that His people will always have the help they need by calling on a strength outside of themselves.
Love of God and love of people is the mantra of our church.
The atonement is not achieved by the people but by the Crucifixion of our Lord.
He has done all the atonement that is needed. Our suffering could and will be used to afford the good of oneself (through empathy to others and the help that others will give us.)
Collectively, our good does counteract evil in our world. We are all praying and working for peace and harmony, as we each do our part to make this world a better place. Karen Marra, Sockburn (Abridged)
Fearmongering
Bede Martin would have us believe that there has been no campaign by the Catholic Church to drum up opposition to the End of Life Choice Bill (Jan 4). I know for a fact that he is in error. Earlier last year I stopped off at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in order to pick up details about an upcoming concert. I was astonished to find large piles of handouts opposing the Bill on both sides of the lobby. Of particular concern were the number of misleading or absolutely wrong and fearmongering statements in this supposedly factual document. In the church newsletter, also on hand, was a reminder that parishioners could stay behind after forthcoming services in order to receive help with their submissions.
I was subsequently told that the congregation was advised specifically to avoid mention of religious affiliation or reasoning in their submissions. Lindy Harward, Woolston
Suffering extolled
Bede Martin (Jan 4) claims in reference to Martin Hanson’s support for David Seymour’s euthanasia bill (Jan 3) that ‘‘the Catholic Church does not support the view suffering is a good thing’’. Strange, given the Bible extols suffering repeatedly, especially in reference to suffering for one’s Christian beliefs (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Matthew 5:10-12 etc). The history of the Catholic Church also contradicts Mr Martin’s every syllable: crusades, persecutions, inquisitions, torture of heretics... the church’s perspective on pain clearly depends on who is doing the suffering and for what reason. He adds many of the select committee submissions on the bill do not mention moral or religious affiliation, implying opposition is not a Catholic-driven campaign. People of religion will frequently attempt to hide the true source of their convictions as ‘‘religion’’ is too readily dismissed as just someone’s dogmatic opinion. Better to cloak such in selective reasoning and rationalisations, lest it be dismissed out of hand. History repeats itself. When homosexual law reform was being debated it was often easier for the church to try to stitch gays up as child-molesting disease carriers than bang on about the will of a God who said two dudes having sex should die. Darren A Saunders, Waltham (Abridged)
Ignorant attack
Is calling Catholics sadists and masochists a strong argument for euthanasia? Martin Hanson’s letter (Jan 3) is an ignorant attack on Catholics, rather than an intelligent argument in favour of euthanasia.
Catholics believe in the sanctity and dignity of all forms of life, not just of what some may deem as ‘perfect’ forms of life. Our call is not to end the lives of others. We must take care of those suffering incurable and painful diseases. This is the humane thing to do (not the behaviour of a sadist). Palliative care provides comfort, peace, dignity and even joy to families and their loved ones. This is not sadistic or masochistic. Caring for those suffering requires love, sacrifice, commitment and, yes, suffering too.
It is not that we seek out suffering for redemption but there is redemption in suffering, love and sacrifice. If Martin doesn’t understand that, hopefully others do. Amanda du Toit, St Albans End of Life Bill
In response to Martin Hanson (Jan
3), I too listened to Dr Colin Harte’s presentation regarding the great virtues of suffering with shock, but not disbelief (NZ Catholic, Dec 21,
2018). Everything fell into place regarding reasons/remarks concerning the End of Life Choice Bill from some of our well-known Roman Catholic Parliamentarians. They all originated from the same source: the RC Church. Orders given, no questions asked. This in complete contrast with the take home message of Sir Lloyd Geering, Emeritus Professor of religious studies at Victoria University, and secular Buddhist teacher and former monk Stephen Batchelor.
I attended a ‘‘conversation’’ between the men at St Andrew’s on the Terrace in Wellington in 2011. At the end I asked both men individually about their stance regarding assisted dying for desperately sick people.
Both were frank in their immediate and outspoken support for assisted dying. Alida Van der Velde, Waikanae (Abridged)