Dear Editor
I read with interest a letter in the Sun recently regarding “No to assisted death. The Catholic church has a history of caring for the sick, not killing them” (Paul Schratz, director, communications office, Archdiocese of Vancouver).
Yes, the Catholic Church has a history, although not always a good one. As for the reference to barbarism, I think of the Spanish Inquisition as only one in a number of inhuman acts in the name of religion.
In any case, no one is compelled to choose assisted death. It is a choice. Doctors can choose to be involved or not, as in Holland and Switzerland, for example. There are more than enough doctors who, for compassionate reasons, are willing to take part in assisted dying, and the church should have respect for those who have a different spiritual persuasion or mindset.
Setting up one’s religion as judge and jury is not acceptable to the vast majority of people in this society.
Some of us even have our pets put to sleep rather than see them suffer. But I guess the Catholic Church believes that the only way to show caring, love and dignity to your loved ones is to watch them suffer as they await certain death.
Lastly, not to take anything away from the church or its people for their good work, the Catholic hospitals have been supported and paid for over and over through government funding, and it is not ironic as Mr. Schratz stated that everyone has the right to the benefits offered at any hospital, Catholic or otherwise, as they are publicly funded.
William Zander, New Westminster
