At their June meeting outside of Seattle, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) passed a statement on physician-assisted suicide much to the chagrin of the “Aid in Dying” crowd.
Those who delight in helping people die like to invoke the values of compassion and choice. Indeed, Compassion and Choices (C&C) is the name of the organization previously known as the Hemlock Society. They were none too happy with the bishops, and that is because the Catholic hierarchy values life over death. The head of C&C, Barbara Coombs Lee, said it “alarms us” to see the bishops “use their standing” to work against her agenda.
In its statement, the USCCB addressed the issue of choice, counseling that “even apparently free choices may be unduly influenced by the biases and wishes of others.” Addressing the matter of compassion, the body pointedly said, “True compassion alleviates suffering while maintaining solidarity with those who suffer. It does not put lethal drugs in their hands and abandon them to their suicidal impulses, or to the self-serving motives of others who may want them dead.” It also noted that “Dutch doctors, who once limited euthanasia to terminally ill patients, now provide lethal drugs to people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, mental illness, and even melancholy.”
Not surprisingly, C&C praises “Dr. Death”, Jack Kevorkian, for his groundbreaking work, though they caution it is “safer” to stay within the law. More important, C&C is top-heavy with pro-abortion activists.
Lee is a champion of abortion rights, and so is Patty Berg, a former state official and member of the board of directors. Ditto for several ministers who are on the advisory board, including the infamous Rev. John Shelby Spong. Donors include David Rockefeller and the NYS NARAL Foundation. A real standout is the anti-Catholic gay phenom from San Francisco, Mark Leno: he likes to make his contributions in the name of Dr. Death.
Pro-abortion and pro-euthanasia—that’s what makes C&C tick. To say they are deadly consistent is an understatement.
