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Is the Catholic church getting "bailed out" when it comes to MAID in BC?
St. Paul’s Hospital in BC is now offering MAiD, but the process is complicated due to its affiliation with Providence Healthcare, a faith-based organization. Critics, including Dying with Dignity, argue that the current setup, requiring transfers to a separate facility, causes unnecessary suffering and delays. Many healthcare professionals support MAiD but are restricted by religious policies. The BC Ministry of Health has responded with plans for a dedicated MAiD space by 2024. However, critics like Scott Harrison believe more immediate solutions are needed, questioning the province's political will to resolve the issue.
By: Amir Ali
National Catholic Health Care Week: We Carry On The Healing Ministry of Jesus
National Catholic Health Care Week takes place Feb. 4-10. This article emphasizes the importance in marking the occasion, so Canada does not lose sight of "the extraordinary gift that we have in our country of Catholic health care."
It also discusses the sense of the dignity and sanctity of every human life, which Catholic healthcare principles stand on. The Archdiocese of Edmonton released a message for the 2024 celebration, titled ‘Hope and Dignity: A Catholic Response to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.’
By: The Archdiocese of Edmonton
Pro-Euthanasia Activists to Sue Catholic Hospital in Canada
Pro-euthanasia activists, supported by Dying with Dignity Canada, are preparing to sue St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver for its refusal to provide medical assistance in dying (MAiD) within its facilities. The lawsuit challenges the hospital's adherence to Catholic ethical guidelines that oppose euthanasia. This legal action highlights the tension between secular advocacy groups and religious healthcare institutions regarding the provision of assisted suicide services in Canada.
By: Thomas McKenna
MAiD for mental illness must be stopped, not paused, Catholic and legal experts say
Archbishop J. Michael Miller welcomed the federal government's decision to delay the expansion of MAiD for individuals with mental illness but expressed disappointment that the government still intends to proceed with the expansion in the future. Advocates said the delay is not a victory, as proponents of MAiD are likely to continue their efforts during the pause. Legal experts and advocacy groups argue for a permanent pause on the expansion.
Phil Horgan, Catholic Civil Rights League: "The 'system' has gone far beyond anything contemplated by our Supreme Court. Perhaps some humility is in order."
By: The B.C. Catholic
Atlantic Health, Saint Peter's Healthcare announce merger plans
In June 2024, Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter's Healthcare System signed a definitive agreement to merge, aiming to enhance healthcare services in central New Jersey. Pending approvals from federal, state, and Church authorities, Atlantic Health will become the sole corporate member of Saint Peter's, which will retain its Catholic mission and identity. The merger plans include implementing Atlantic Health's Epic electronic health record system at Saint Peter's to improve care efficiency and safety. Additionally, significant capital investments are planned to expand outpatient services and strengthen integrated clinical offerings.
By: Susan Loyer
Letters: Questions about St.Paul’s Hospital
Letters to the editor highlight the disapproval of MAiD in the Catholic healthcare community. "Hospital staff need to be educated to stand strong against any compliance with this evil and know their right to conscience protection."
"Our bishops need to call everyone to urgently fast and pray for the end of this scourge of MAID happening in most Canadian hospitals now, or adjacent to them."
By: Letters to the Editor
Canada’s Bishops ‘urgently’ trying to counter State euthanasia expansion
In this article, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the expansion of Canada's assisted suicide law to include people with mental illness. It emphasized the need for increased investment in mental health resources instead. They affirm their opposition to assisted suicide, asserting that Catholic healthcare institutions will not perform it. Despite pressure they remained firm stating that these actions would violate Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life. The bishops called for respect for their institutions' identities and urged lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of citizens. They affirm their commitment to supporting patients' safe discharge and transfer of care when choosing options not offered by Catholic healthcare institutions.
By: Crux Staff
Growing skills is paramount at Unity Health Toronto
Sonya Canzian, a registered nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital, now part of the Unity Health Toronto network, is dedicated to providing the best possible care. After 20 years as a nurse, she now serves as the Executive Vice President of Clinical Programs, People, and Chief Nursing & Health Professions Officer at Unity Health. Canzian highlights the benefits of being part of Unity Health, particularly its commitment to staff education and development: “It is our duty to be forward-thinking so that our staff are well-prepared to face new challenges and ever-changing environments. All of our full- and part-time employees have access to education funds to support lifelong learning and career development.”
By: The Globe and Mail
Canadian Bishops oppose euthanasia in Catholic Health Facilities
This article is an affirmation of the Catholic community's stance on MAiD, in light of broad expansion in Canada: "Despite the pressure being applied to Catholic healthcare institutions by some Canadians and Canadian organizations to perform, or to provide through a third-party, 'Medical Assistance in Dying/MAiD,' in other words euthanasia or assisted suicide, the Catholic Church, which regards life as sacred and inviolable, remains firm in its opposition to MAiD."
By: Archdiocese of Toronto
Government taking property from St. Paul’s Hospital to deliver MAiD
The B.C. government has rolled out a plan to provide MAiD at St. Paul’s Hospital by making it available on a property neighbouring the hospital. This would create a ‘clinical space’ where St. Paul’s patients could receive MAiD without having to transfer.
‘The government said the “clinical space” will be staffed by Vancouver Coastal Health staff and be connected by a corridor to St. Paul’s. Patients who want MAiD will be discharged from the hospital and transferred to the care of Vancouver Coastal Health.’
By: Paul Schratz
On anniversary of partner's death, Vancouver man asks why local hospital still won't allow MAID
"Christina Bates, who at age 53 was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, was in palliative care at St Paul’s Hospital when she was forced to be transferred to Vancouver General Hospital on the morning of Nov. 7, 2021, in order to fulfill her wish of medical assistance in dying, or MAiD." Her partner at the time voices his frustration and the impact that this had "It was a stressful morning, the process was really painful,” he said, adding “There is a conversation I never got to have with her, because of interruptions and confusion and disarray around this.”
By: Shannon Paterson
Medical Assistance in Dying: Majority say religiously affiliated hospitals should not be forced to provide MAID
A poll gauging Canadians’ opinions about transfers when it comes to MAiD patients in Catholic Hospitals. Findings highlight that Quebec is the only province in the country where less than a majority feel a religious-affiliated health-care facility should transfer the patient if they request MAiD.
By: Angus Reid Institute
Over half of Canadians say MAID isn't a must for religious hospitals: Poll
This article discusses the findings of a poll conducted in September 2023 that showed over 60% of Canadians think MAiD should not be forced in faith-based hospitals. "The poll found 70% of Canadians believe morally or religiously opposed health-care practitioners should make a referral if a patient asks for MAID.”
By: Jane Stevenson
The Role of the Catholic Church in Healthcare Provision Globally
The article discusses the significant role of the Catholic Church in global healthcare provision. It highlights that the Church contributes to about 25% of healthcare services worldwide highlighting the historical importance of Catholic hospitals, particularly those established by Irish Nuns. It also mentions the challenges faced by Catholic healthcare institutions in maintaining their faith values while facing pressure to provide services that conflict with their beliefs.
By: Matt Moran
Canadian bishops unanimous: no assisted dying in Church hospitals
This article focuses on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in which they reaffirmed the opinion that institutions operating under the Catholic Church's name are not permitted to provide MAiD services. This was a unanimous decision among the bishops. It ended in addressing the bishop’s support for Indigenous reconciliation.
By: Peter Stockland
Q&A: A groundbreaker in N.L. health care, Sister Elizabeth Davis is about to make history at the Vatican
Sister Elizabeth Davis has for decades been a principal figure in the Newfoundland and Labrador health-care system. She will take part in the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October led by Pope Francis. Davis is one of just five members of a group called Women Religious who were invited to take part, with this synod marking the first in history that will have women in attendance and voting.
"he's (the pope) been trying to call us into a more inclusive communion, and he thinks and believes, as I do, that that is the only way that we can help make our world better and more just."
By: CBC News
Catholic hospital under fire for naming euthanasia provider as palliative care director
This article describes Dr. Danielle Kain as a proponent of MAiD and it draws concern with this as she is now the director of palliative care at Providence Hospital. She supports the MAiD Referral Policy in which a patient who requests MAiD is referred to a physician who is able and willing to provide MAiD. About 20 other Catholic medical professionals wrote a letter in June to the archbishop with their concerns about Kain’s appointment.
By: BC Catholic
Suddenly hospital transfers are an issue ?
The author is critical of the controversy surrounding hospital transfers and why they are being seen as problematic in cases of MAiD. It is compared to a jaw surgery case in which the patient was transferred to another hospital to receive their care. It is argued that transfers are not a problem because they are done in the best interest of the paient.
"Today, the widespread unavailability of certain procedures at particular hospitals is not of interest to the media, unless the procedure is euthanasia."
By: Paul Schartz
Forcing all Canadian hospitals to offer MAID would be a toxic dose of intolerance
Focuses on a recent case in which a patient at St. Paul’s was denied MAiD, prompting the BC Health Minister to address the need for Catholic Health Care in BC to provide MAiD in their facilities. The article discusses eliminating faith-based healthcare institutions as a problem and is in support of its continuance. It highlights the good that Catholic institutions have done from the author's perspective. "If our civil society and legal order denies faith-based health-care facilities the freedom to pass on giving lethal injections based on the conscientious view that MAID is killing, we will have bought into not just a fundamental misunderstanding of how Canada is meant to function, but a dangerous one."
By: Brian Bird
B.C. health minister pushing Providence Health to change MAID policy
The focus is on a plea made by the British Columbia Health Minister to Providence Health to reconsider its stance on MAID within its facilities. Providence Health's existing policy firmly prohibits MAID, citing the apparent incompatibility of Catholic doctrine with actions aimed at ending human life. This policy has been a point of contention, as it can limit individuals' access to MAID services. The Health Minister is advocating for a revision of this policy, highlighting the importance of accommodating patients' diverse beliefs and values while ensuring access to end-of-life care options.
By: Katie DeRosa