Rev. GEOFFREY

KERSLAKE is a priest of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Ottawa.

For some, life consists solely in seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering. Is life valuable only when it is pleasant?

We know that life has a greater meaning. Life, even when it involves suffering, is precious and is blessed with God-given dignity.

We know that those who ask to be euthanized are often not so much seeking to end their life as end their suffering.

But we have the medical means to manage pain and to ease suffering short of ending the suffering patient’s life.

We know for a fact that in countries that practice euthanasia, people are being euthanized without their express consent in alarmingly high numbers, as the value of human life is degraded.

Experts report subtle pressure by some families encouraging a patient to opt for euthanasia to ease “the burden on the family.”

It is troubling to note that euthanasia requires that a medical professional take the life of a person in their care. That act of violence, however well-meaning, undermines the necessary trust in doctor-patient relationships.

The Catholic Church teaches that suffering born with faith shares in Christ’s suffering on the Cross and thus has a redemptive and a transforming meaning, not only for the patient but also for families, friends and society.

St. Peter reminds us, “But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4.13)

In my own experience with terminally ill parishioners with supportive family and friends, the witness of their faith, love and hope and the gift of their presence taught me that suffering is not the worst evil that can befall a person; the worst thing is to tell someone that their life is pointless and that they should die.