Canadian bishops ask Parliament to ‘split’ euthanasia bill, urging advance requests not be allowed

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has called on the Canadian government to revise Bill C-41, the proposed Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act, arguing that its provisions on advance requests for euthanasia raise serious ethical, legal, and human rights concerns.

In a parliamentary brief released Nov. 12 , the bishops urged members of Parliament to separate two distinct issues in the legislation: the permanent exclusions of mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition for eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the proposed authorization of advance requests for euthanasia.

Bill C-41 was introduced in Parliament on Oct. 27 and is at its second reading in the House of Commons.

The CCCB also called for greater investment in palliative care, healthcare, and practical supports for people living with serious illnesses, disabilities, and declining independence.

Mosul honors 2 Christian martyrs as questions remain over return of displaced families Two streets in Mosul, Iraq, now bear the names of Christian clergy killed during years of violence against the cityʼs Christian community.

ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of…