The Catholic Weekly 8 November 2020

$2 As a direct result ... people will be wrongfully killed. That is what has hap- pened overseas ... and it is extremely naive to think that New Zealand would be any different.” Brendan Malone, NZ pro-life advocate VULNERABLE SICK New Zealanders, the elderly and those with disabilities will be at risk when assisted sui- cide becomes legal in the na- tion next year, legal experts and pro-life advocates have warned. Just over 65 per cent of Ki- wis voted in favour of legalis- ing euthanasia and assisted suicide in a referendum on the issue during the 17 Octo- ber general election. The binding referendum was held to decide whether the End of Life Choices Act 2019 should come into force next November. The result was made pub- lic on 30 October, while pre- liminary results of a second referendum question on whether to legalise cannabis appeared not to gain the re- quired support. “The news that 65 per cent of New Zealanders voted in favour of euthanasia and as- sisted suicide being legalised in that country is terribly sad for our neighbours across the Tasman, whose vulnerable sick and elderly deserve bet- ter than a prescription of legal drugs, and the message that they are better off dead,” said Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, who is also one of the world’s leading bioethi- cist. Bishop Richard Umbers said the news from his home- land was “disappointing”. “Legislating to assist some- one to kill themselves is never a formof compassion,” Bishop Umbers said. “The terminally ill are those most at risk under this bill and they deserve bet- ter end of life care. “This comes at a time of global pandemic when every nation across the world is doing its utmost to save lives – how can we be saving lives and voting to end others si- multaneously?” Pro-life advocate Brendan Malone said it was a “very dark day” in the country’s his- tory. “As a direct result of the End of Life Choice Act vulner- able people will be wrongfully killed,” he said. “That is what has happened overseas where euthanasia and assisted suicide laws have been brought in and it is ex- tremely naïve to think that New Zealand would be any different. “Anyone claiming that would not happen in our country is either not telling the truth or are possibly just ignorant of the data and the facts on the ground overseas. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Kiwis choose death New Zealand’s sick, elderly, disabled and vulnerable to become prime victims of new suicide law ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues CATHOLICS ENJOYED a glimpse of heaven at St Mi- chael’s church in Belfield when dozens of children dressed up as their favourite saint for the All Saint’s Day vigil Mass last Saturday. “As Catholics we don’t cel- ebrate Halloween as a day of darkness and evil, we cele- brate goodness,” said Nancy Khalil, whose four-year-old son Michael donned armour and a pair of wings to emu- late his namesake. “It was a beautiful day. Seeing all those children there in the church really melted my heart,” she said. “As a parent, I need to not only be a good Catholic my- self but do what I can to help my family get to heaven.” MORE CUTE PICS FROM AROUND SYDNEY P5 ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Saints abound everywhere in Sydney 8, November, 2020 BECCIU CASE: INQUIRY EXPANDS A PARISH THAT’S FULL OF FAITH P3 P9 You can help a child shine brighter this Christmas.