Have you heard that euthanasia is expanding once more in Quebec? Since June 7th, 2023, even palliative care homes will be obligated to offer euthanasia under the guise of “medical assistance in dying” (MAID) according to a new law voted at the National Assembly. Unfortunately, most of us know someone around us who has had recourse to it or is thinking about it. Euthanasia (MAID), which is commonly presented as end-of-life “care”, is already the cause of more than 7% of deaths in Quebec. 

End of life: what value? 

Faced with the arguments we hear all over the media that present euthanasia (“MAID”) as an ethical and practical solution to end our lives peacefully, many are tempted to believe that their life is not worth living to the end of their illness. Why is this so? The prospect of choosing the moment of our death is appealing. Others, who suffer a loss of autonomy, are faced with the fear of becoming a burden for their loved ones. Some will even go so far as to believe that taking their own life is a service that one renders to others. How could shortening one's own life, which is an infinitely precious good, be considered a good for another person? 

Now available! Videos from the conference: "You will never be a burden on me" 

Last month the Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life and Family organized a conference at Mary-Queen-of-the-World Cathedral entitled: "You will never be a burden for me: An evening of reflection on the end of life." In the current context, as many fear to become a burden for their close ones and question themselves on the possibility of euthanasia (MAID), we invited three witnesses (Ms. Cecilia Grava, Ms. Paula Celani and Msgr. Christian Lépine) to shed light on what it means to accompany others and let ourselves be accompanied in the last moments of our earthly life. Their witnesses made us understand how much these final moments of life are both precious and profound and can be a source of incredible grace. Indeed, end-of-life experiences rather than something to be feared, are essential to make us the humans that we are. We invite you to watch these captivating testimonies of Mrs Cecilia Grava, Mrs Paula Celani and Msgr. Lépine available on the YouTube page of the Diocese of Montreal. Please note that these witnesses are in French only.  

Announcing the launch of the “Horizons of Hope” program in 2023-2024 

To face this issue that concerns us all, the Bishops of Canada in collaboration with experts in palliative care have created a program of 4 sessions (about 2 hours each) entitled "Horizons of Hope" which aims to equip and raise people's awareness on palliative care and end-of-life accompaniment. It is a comprehensive training designed for lay people in the parishes to help demystify and clarify the current public debates in which many promote euthanasia (MAID) and claim that it is a palliative care treatment like any other. Since the issue of end-of-life care concerns everyone, our hope is that this resource program can eventually be offered in our parishes to reach as many people as possible.  

Dates will be announced in September 

The Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life and the Family will offer the session for the first time this fall at the Archdiocese of Montreal building (2000 Sherbrooke W.). Parish groups can then be trained to organize and offer these sessions in their local parish. We especially invite health care workers who feel called to become ambassadors of this cause in their own communities, as well as all those who are interested in participating in such a Church-wide effort to raise awareness for the dignity of the end of life. The dates and registration will be launched in September. You can also contact us for more detailed information. Feel free to share this invitation; all are welcome! Together, let's respond to our Christian call to promote life!