In a text published in February 2014 in the daily Metropolitain newspapers, the Archbishop of Montreal, Most Reverend Christian Lépine, appeals to conscience as MP’s vote on Bill 52.

A QUESTION OF LIFE OR DEATH:
A CALL TO CONSCIENCE

Very soon in Québec, our members of the Assembly will vote on Bill 52 « An Act respecting end-of-life care ». Should this be adopted, the result will be the legalization of euthanasia, termed under the title « medical assistance to die ».

In hastening a person's death, however, we are not helping them in dying, we are directly ending their life. It is to give our doctors the authority to kill patients who are vulnerable in certain circumstances.

We love and care for those who are vulnerable, and one day, we, ourselves, will all become vulnerable. It is important to us that we can know and trust our family and society will not choose to hasten our death, but will rather be present and support us until the very end.

We are called to choose unconditionally to respect life until natural death.

As human beings, we are created to respect and serve life in all situations of fragility. One cannot be the cause of death of another innocent person – even if that decision is regulated – without hurting our own conscience and human dignity.

Causing the death of an innocent human being is causing the death of our own self…

+ Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal

Original version in French