The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians has rejected a recommendation from a Quebec legislative committee that euthanasia and physician assisted suicide be legalized. The Society stated that the procedures contradict “a fundamental tenet” of the Society and most palliative care physicians. The president of the Society said “We are concerned that, despite the fact that our members are unwilling to provide these services, this may be mandated if it becomes law in Quebec.” [CSPCP statement]
Month: May 2012
German Medical Association apologizes for physician complicty in Nazi atrocities
The German Medical Association has acknowledged and apologized for the participation of German physicians in Nazi programs of forced sterilization, euthanasia, and human experimentation. The statement also acknowledged that “leading members of the medical community” were involved. [Washington Post]
Concern expressed in United Kingdom over proposed physician guidelines
Bishop Tom Williams, chairman of the Healthcare Reference Group of Britain’s Catholic bishops’ conference, is encouraging Catholic physicians and others to respond to the General Medical Council’s draft guideline on personal beliefs and medical practice. Bishop Williams warned that the document is likely to produce an “atmosphere of fear” among physicians who are religious believers. The General Medical Council is the state agency that regulates the medical profession. [Catholic Herald]
Artificial reproduction extended in United Kingdom
Britain’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has directed the National Health Service (NHS) to provide artificial reproduction at public expense to homosexual couples and to women up to the age of 42. The change was preceded by the abolition of a legal requirement that a child’s need for a father be taken into account when assessing requests for treatment [The Telegraph].
12 lawsuits, 43 plaintiffs sue US federal government over birth control mandate
43 Catholic dioceses, organizations and and institutions have filed 12 lawsuits against the U.S. federal government to stop the federal regulation that will compel objecting employers to provide insurance for contraceptives, embryocides and sterilization. The news has been welcomed by the Catholic Medical Association, and applauded by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as “a compelling display of the unity of the Church in defense of religious liberty.” The Conference is not a party to the suits [CMA news release; USCCB news release; Washington Examiner]. The lawsuits and plaintiffs are:
1. District of Columbia Lawsuit
- Archdiocese of Washington
- Consortium of Catholic Academies
- Archbishop Carroll High School
- Catholic Charities of D.C.
- The Catholic University of America
2. E.D.N.Y. Lawsuit
- Diocese of Rockville Centre
- Catholic Health Services of Long Island
- Catholic Charities of Rockville Centre
- Archdiocese of N.Y.
- ArchCare
3. W.D.Pa. (Erie Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Erie
- St. Martin Center
- Prince of Peace Center
4. W.D.Pa. (Pitt. Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Catholic Charities of Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Catholic Cemeteries Association of Diocese of Pittsburgh
5. N.D.Tex. (Dallas Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Dallas
6. N.D.Tex. (Fort Worth Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Fort Worth
7. S.D. Ohio (Columbus Div.) Lawsuit
- Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Michigan Catholic Conference
8. S.D.Miss. (Gulfport Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Jackson
- Catholic Charities of Jackson
- Vicksburg Catholic School
- St. Joseph’s Catholic School
- Diocese of Biloxi
- De l’Epee Deaf Center Inc.
- Catholic Social & Community Services Inc.
- Resurrection Catholic School
- Sacred Heart Catholic School
- St. Dominic Health Services
9. N.D.Ind. (South Bend Div.) Lawsuit
- The University of Notre Dame
10. N.D. Ind. (Fort Wayne Div.) Lawsuit
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend
- St. Anne Home
- Franciscan Alliance
- Our Sunday Visitor
- University of St. Francis
11. N.D.Ill. Lawsuit
- Diocese of Joliet
- Catholic Charities of Joliet
- Diocese of Springfield
- Catholic Charities of Springfield
12. E.D.Mo. (St. Louis Div.)
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
- Catholic Charities of St. Louis