The Catholic Weekly 3 April 2022

WITH DEBATE on Independ- ent MP Alex Greenwich’s “vol- untary assisted dying” legisla- tion coming to a head in the NSW Upper House, Catholic aged care providers are con- cerned they will be forced to allow euthanasia on premis- es without conscience protec- tions. Were this bill to become law in its current form, Catho- lic aged care homes would have to allow medical prac- titioners on premises to per- form “voluntary assisted dy- ing” procedures or deliver euthanasia drugs to patients who would then administer them themselves. Catholic aged care homes would also be required to pro- vide information on eutha- nasia, or allow a “voluntary assisted dying care navigator service” on premises to do so. Catholic Health Australia (CHA) is Australia’s largest non-government provider of aged care facilities, and said in its submission to the Up- per House inquiry into the bill that it “infringes the rights of the people working, living and being treated at our members’ facilities” to live in communi- ties free from “intentional tak- ing of life”. CHA Strategy and Mission Director, Brigid Meney, told The Catholic Weekly that “if Parliament still sees fit to le- gally sanction this then they have a duty to scrutinise the legislation closely and amend the worst elements ... One of the most concerning aspects of this Bill is that it fails to pro- tect the rights of institutions to opt out,” Ms Meney said. “So while a facility or its staff might not directly assist in the process, the Bill author- ises someone who doesn’t have a relationship with that care provider to come in and administer a lethal dose. “The VAD doctor can do this without informing the home and leave it up to the staff or residents to deal with the trauma of discovery. That is conscientious objection in name only.” Sr Elham Geagea, a Ma- ronite Sister of the Holy Family and CEO of Maronite Sisters Village, runs two aged care facilities in Marrickville and Dulwich Hill with a total of 100 residents. She says neither the sisters, nor the residents and their fam- ilies, wouldbe comfortablewith euthanasia offered on premises at her aged care homes. “We’d not be comfortable at all, but if they make it a law we’d have to follow it. We can’t breach the law, but we won’t be at all comfortable,” Sr Gea- gea told The Catholic Weekly . “The government has to re- spect our beliefs also. We are here to do mission, to spread the Good News, to spread the Gospel. “We can’t go against our mission. We will contradict ourselves.” CONTINUED P2 Conscience concerns rise Catholic healthcare providers reckoning with being forced to become centres for killing patients ¾ Adam Wesselinoff SUNDAY 3 April, 2022 www.catholicweekly.com.au THE CHURCH. ALL OF IT CATHOLIC SUPPLIERS GUIDE 2022 LIFTOUT MAGAZINE INSIDE In prayer for Ukraine $2 One of the most concerning as- pects of this Bill is that it fails to protect the rights of institutions to opt out.” Brigid Meney CatholicWeekly The An evening with Gerard Henderson Thursday 7 April 6-7.30pm St Mary’s Cathedral, Chapter Hall Scan the QR code to register FULL REPORT P3 In the small hours of Saturday 26 March Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP leads a packed cathedral during a service to coincide with the consecration in Rome by Pope Francis of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. PHOTO: PATRICK J. LEE