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P.E.I. Right to Life Newsletter April 2005
Index:

Vol. 5, No. 1
April 2005
P.O. BOX 1988, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.,
C1A6K7

Editorial (Dying with Dignity)

The topic of "mercy killing" or euthanasia is fast becoming a national debate. The Canadian Parliament and the Supreme Court face tough decisions in regard to issues resulting from highly publicized cases on assisted suicide. In November of 2004, this debate was brought to the forefront by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Irwin Cotler, when he suggested the criminal code of Canada should be revisited in regard to assisted suicide and the Euthanasia issue.

Euthanasia is putting to death, by painless method, of a terminally ill or severely debilitated person through the omission or commission of an act.

The most relevant sections of the criminal code are: Section 14. No person is entitled to have death inflicted upon him/her, and such consent does not affect the criminal responsibility of any person by whom death may be inflicted upon the person upon whom the consent is given. and Section 241. Everyone who, a) counsels a person to commit suicide or b) aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment or a term not exceeding fourteen years.

A person legally cannot request to be killed. The Law states clearly that we cannot assist in any way in the taking of a person's life whether consent is given or not.

Recently there has been an extraordinarily coming together of events that are giving new impetus and new life to this controversial issue.

To name a few: 1. Two recent Oscar-winning movies, "Million Dollar Baby" and "The Sea Inside," sympathetically portray people seeking to end their own lives, and 2. In Florida, the high-profile right-to-live case involving Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged woman, may finally come to an end this month after endless court battles and family dissent.

When does this "mercy killing" or "right to die with dignity" become a right?

The Dutch model as reported in Barney Sneiderman's paper on "Euthanasia in the Netherlands: a model for Canada?" He argues we must provide the best care and the best pain control but when the patient is still plagued by unbearable and unrelievable suffering and asks for relief or release, then we abide by their request and show our compassion.

Recently as reported on January, 2005, the Dutch Medical Association concluded after three years of investigation, that Dutch doctors ought to be able to kill patients who are not ill but who are judged to be "suffering through living".

The Dutch Supreme Court in 2002 ruled patients may only receive euthanasia if they have a "classifiable physical or mental condition" and not if they are merely "tired of life". There law does not require a medical condition but only that a patient may be "suffering hopelessly and unbearably".

The new report does not rule on how doctors should respond if a patient without a classifiable condition should approach them for help but says that doctors believe that some cases of "suffering through living" could be judged "unbearable and hopeless" and therefore fall within the boundaries of the existing euthanasia law. Many Dutch doctors believe that cases of "suffering through living" could be judged "unbearable and hopeless". It is suspected that in more than half the euthanasia cases doctors were not confronted with a "classifiable disease".

The "slippery slope" concept is often scoffed at as being fear-mongering and over-reacting. Dutch euthanasia law does not specifically state that a patient must have a particular medical condition, only that a patient must be "suffering hopelessly and unbearably." Over the past two decades, the Netherlands has moved in the following manner:

a) from assisted suicide to euthanasia.

b) from euthanasia for the terminally ill to euthanasia for the chronically ill.

c) from euthanasia for physical illness to euthanasia for psychological distress.

d) from voluntary euthanasia to non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia.

Obviously there is a "slippery slope"!

The U.S. VERSION

There is an active lobby today working on government to allow euthanasia to be practiced. They cite the State of Oregon as the model for the necessary legislation. The U.S. Supreme Court recently said it would review the legality of Oregon's pioneering assisted-suicide law. David G. Savage, Times Staff writer, on Feb. 23, 2005 stated, "High court's ruling on the issue could effect whether other States pursue 'right -to-die' measures".

The Right to Die - really means

Choosing death in certain situations

Doctors choosing to kill patients

Friends helping others to kill themselves

Pity, compassion, and mercy have never been a justification or defense for murder. Canadian law holds that murder is never justifiable. This must not change.

Before the Law is changed to accommodate the "dying with dignity" advocates of euthanasia, what is to be done?

"Canada must help dying to go with dignity"- by Mark Kennedy Southam News, March 2001. OTTAWA - Canada must dramatically improve its palliative care system for dying patients if it is to succeed as this country's alternative to euthanasia and assisted suicide, says a report by a leading member of the medical profession. This article, published in this month's Journal of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, written by Dr. Balfour Mount, the 61- year-old Montreal physician who has been dubbed the "father of palliative care" in Canada. Dr. Mount's article also closely examines Holland's plan to decriminalize euthanasia and assisted suicide by establishing a framework of rules that must be followed by doctors. He concludes the plan's supposed safeguards to prevent abuse aren't as solid as many might believe. Dr. Mount also states, "my experience in 25 years as a hospice doctor, has reinforced my belief that when everything is taken into account -physical, psychological, social and spiritual--euthanasia is not the answer. This belief is enhanced by what I see happening in the Netherlands. However, lest it be thought that I have become hardened and indifferent to suffering and let me add that, although firmly opposed to euthanasia, I consider that: (i) a doctor who has never been tempted to kill a patient probably has had limited clinical experience or is not able to empathize with those who suffer, (ii) a doctor who leaves a patient to suffer intolerably is morally more reprehensible than the doctor who performs euthanasia A doctor has twin obligations to preserve life and to relieve suffering. Preserving life is increasingly meaningless when a terminally-ill patient is close to death, and the emphasis on relieving suffering becomes paramount. Allowing a person to deteriorate in pain plays right into the hands of the "dying with dignity" advocates."

Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness, usually at an advanced stage. The goal of palliative care is to provide the best quality of life for the critically or terminally ill.

Senator Sharon Carstairs said at the launch of an end-of-life care coalition in December 2001. "With only 1 in 10 Canadians receiving hospice palliative care, the need for more end-of-life care is urgent," She also said, "Too many people are needlessly dying in pain, loneliness and fear."

A recent study has concluded that the number and quality of palliative care institutions in Canada have not improved appreciably since 2001. There are still less than required. It is only with an adequate number of palliative care facilities and the necessary pain-management teams in place can we counter the argument that persons have to die at their own hand or someone else's because they are suffering "unbearable pain" and need the relief of dying. Are the health care programs in Canada allowing the palliative care needs to deteriorate for the terminally ill, thereby threatening their comfort and dignity?

In the last two years the funding has run out on the Quality-of-Life Coalition and in the termination of the Minister responsible for Palliative Care in the Government. The Coalition was bringing some serious needs to the table in the area of palliative care. Its role as a watchdog in this area will certainly be missed.

Quality palliative and end-of-life care involves not only a professional health care team, but also family and other volunteer caregivers. It encompasses not only the physical, but also the spiritual, social, psychosocial, cultural and emotional dimensions of patient care. It is sustained by research and surveillance and it involves different levels of government.

P.E.I. recently created four Palliative Care Assessment teams that serve province wide. This is an integrated team approach that serves the palliative care needs of patients. The teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral workers, hospice coordinator and pharmacists. These teams do provide the needed assessments and prescribe care and treatment for the patients in public care facilities and in home care. There is still some work to be done especially in areas such as funding for home care treatment but it is a very good start.

The challenges are to:

a. have every Canadian accept dying as a natural process of life, and b. ensure/ enable/ help/ educate every community, family and individual to know how to work together with the community and health care system to access quality end-of-life care. That will ensure as best as possible dying with peace and dignity.

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President's Message

How time flies! We are now near the end of my two-year term as President of our Association. It has been a busy and enjoyable term and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who assisted me in my Presidency.

A sincere "thank you" goes to our Editor and Vice President Bernard Connolly for his constant support and continuous efforts on behalf of the Pro Life Movement. Bernie maintains the day-to- day operations of our office and is our #1 Volunteer. Thank you, Bernie! Assisting Bernie are our Treasurer Aukje and our Secretary Myrna as well as, Past President Pauline.

I have also been blessed with a very dedicated and tireless Board. Thank you, folks, for your efforts.

Much has been accomplished over the past two years and much remains to be done by ourselves and by our Association. Primary among these are our constant fight against abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and many others.

We must continue with our efforts of the past, such as our "Annual Silent Vigil", our "Celebrate Life Campaign", together with our efforts to build education programs in our Religious Education Classes. All of these efforts are to promote our point of view and to further educate the public and create awareness around these subjects.

The publishing of this Newsletter also represents a large effort to educate our Membership, Politicians and the General Public on the issues of the day.

This year "Celebrate Life Week" has been expanded to "Celebrate Life Month" and will have Celebration of Life programs throughout the Province. A Schedule of Events is contained elsewhere in this Newsletter. Please make every effort to attend the celebration in your area and also give support to other areas. Further I would also encourage you to participate in the "On Fire for Life" Celebration in Tignish "St. Simon & St. Jude" Parish on May 14th and 15th.

For info on Bus availability phone this office or 672-2453. The organizers of this event deserve your fullest support. Full information on page 8.

Sincerely,

John Broderick, President

P.S. Please watch for and make every effort to attend our Annual Meeting on April 23. It would be a great sign of support to our Board of Directors.

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Resolution Feedback

Feedback - Resolution from AGM 2004

Whereas; it is now necessary for a mother requiring an abortion to have the abortion authorized by two physicians be sanctioned for payment by the Provincial Health Act and Whereas; the two physicians can be the family or attending physician and the physician performing the abortion: Be it resolved that: The P.E.I. Right to life Association demand that the Provincial Government change its regulations and/or policies so that the two physicians authorizing the abortion be completely objective and have no connection or involvement with the abortion procedure; and further, that these physicians be obliged to explain to the woman the stage of development of her unborn child, advise whether or not the child is likely to feel pain, the likely method of abortion, and the possible risks to herself - including the post abortion implications.

On the 24th of February, the Executive including Pres. John Broderick, Aukje Annema, Myrna Dykeman and Bernie Connolly visited the Minister of Health, Mr. Chester Gillan. In attendance was Dr. Richard Wedge, Director of hospital services in the province.

On the question of authorization, both gentlemen assured us that along with a family doctor an independent physician is also required to authorize a funded-abortion outside the province.

With regards to doctors explaining all consequences of having an abortion, it is expected that doctors, we were told, give informed advice to someone seeking an abortion. We, the Executive, stressed that adoption should be an option and that government should have adequate and helpful programs in place to support pregnant teens and single moms.

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Celebrate Life Month

Celebrate Life Month will be from March 26- April 23. There will be information ads in all our newspapers as well as radio messages on CFCY, CHTN, and Q93. We hope to reach expectant mothers and their families with a "message of life" so they think before abortion becomes an option. As well, we would ask the public to become more aware of the negativeconsequences of abortion on women in society. Celebration events and Annual Meeting dates and locations are at the end of the newsletter. We invite all to come and celebrate life with us.

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At the Office
by Aukje Annema

April is Celebrate Life Month, so that means that we are very busy as a Board, getting everything together. First of all, we would like to thank all of our volunteers who helped us with the membership receipts. They all did a wonderful job. We also thank all the membership who made renewals and gave generous donations. Without loyal and concerned membership, we wouldn't be able to buy the needed educational material and afford our advertising campaign in the Celebrate Life month.

Our Christmas Card Fundraiser was a success, and thanks to all the people who took time to come to the office to purchase them or sell them for us.

We can't stress enough how important our volunteers are to us, and again we ask you to consider volunteering especially in the office, and on committees too. There is a lot of work to be done, and the Board can't do it all by itself. Saying that, here comes a great opportunity for you, our members, where you can be of great assistance to us with our education program.

PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTION

This year we want to aim our educational information at doctors' offices and clinics. Our goal is to have our informative pamphlets about life issues in all the doctors' offices and clinics across the island. We need your help in passing out this information. We are looking for members to keep their communities' clinics supplied with our education materials. The pro-choice side, especially Planned Parenthood is certainly actively promoting what they think is best. Please call our office with the clinic or office you would like to supply and we'll arrange a time to get together to give you the materials. We need your help!

Did you know?

Canada's position on abortion is out of step with even the more socially liberal countries in Europe. These countries limit abortion on demand to:

Greece 12 weeks

Germany 12 weeks

Sweden 8 weeks

Britain 24 weeks

France 12 weeks

Germany 12 weeks

Belgium 12 weeks

Denmark 12 weeks

Sweden 18 weeks

Norway 18 weeks

Italy 13 weeks

Greece 12 weeks

Hungary 12 weeks

Canada no limit

Thanks

At the Annual General Meeting in April of this year, Mr. John Broderick will be stepping down as President. He will remain on the Executive as the Past President. Mrs. Pauline MacDonald will be concluding eleven years on the Executive of the organization as she leaves her Executive post for now. We especially thank Pauline for her dedication and leadership over the past number of years. I'm sure she will continue to remain active in the organization as her experience and commitment is certainly a valued asset.

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The Morgentaler Case in New Brunswick

On the 31st of January 2005, the appeals court of New Brunswick turned down the request by the Coalition for Life and Health (New Brunswick Right to Life) to intervention status in the upcoming court case. The Appeal judges agreed with the decision of the original judge, that because of their morality stand they would have nothing to contribute to the case. It was a case regarding the payment of public funds. They did not elaborate at any length on the decision.

In our November 2003 Newsletter there was an article on "The Abortion Opinion Poll" conducted by Leger Marketing from Montreal. This poll solicited Canadian opinions on abortion. On the question of using public funds for abortion, only 25% thought that abortion should always be paid for by the tax-funded health system.

In January of this year it was stated that Mr. Ujjal Dosanjh, the Health Minister of Canada require that the New Brunswick Government pay for all abortions including clinical abortions under the Canada Health Act. There are two questions that arise here. Firstly, why does the Minister view all abortion medically necessary under the Canada Health Act? Secondly, how do abortion clinics get special status under the Canada Health Act?

Abortion is the only illness, disease, injury, disability or condition that requires the special status of a terminal illness beyond treatment and always medically necessary if demanded by the patient - a special category.

When did private clinics qualify and receive this special funding arrangement under the Canada Health Act? Premier Ralph Klein has been trying for years to have the two-tier health care program implemented with the sanctioning of private clinics - to no avail.

With this decision on the 25th of January, 2005, the door could be open to the funding of abortions in clinics in New Brunswick. If Dr. Morgantaler does succeed in this court case, P.E.I. will immediately feel the pressure to comply. If a precedent is set in New Brunswick with a ruling for abortion as clinical service, then a court case is redundant. Do we just have to watch as Morgantaler and Health Minister Dosanjh legally bring this expanded service-of-death to our provinces? We may have to fund an appeal decision. For now PRAY!

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Committee Reports

Media Committee - At this time of year much effort is being put into getting a media blitz for Celebrate Life month. Newspaper, radio and bulletin board presentations are being prepared. They had a busy year with items in the "Interim" and promoting the Denise Montenay visit last June.

Educational Committee - Over the past two months the members of this committee have been presenting educational packages to Sunday School teachers in two target churches to pilot the program. It is hoped that at the grade seven and eight levels there will be a respect-for-life section to complement the catechetical program. The item being used and supplied by the Association is a fetal model set, small 12 week fetal pieces, handout on fetal awareness, video - Preview of a Birth, baby feet pins, and bookmarks.

Newspaper Committee - This is the 12th edition of our Newsletter. The number of mail-out is 1800 of which 165 are not members but memorial donors. The newsletter format has been a topic of discussion in the committee recently. We will be endeavoring to revamp our look in the next couple of Newsletters. If there are any suggestions out there please send them along.

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Book Reports

New Book -

Mom, Dad. I'm Pregnant, Written by mother and grandmother, Jayne E. Schooler is a new book to help parents deal with their child's unplanned pregnancy. This book offers help and d advice for birth parents and their families in making the very difficult decisions that must come as a result of an unplanned pregnancy. Schooler says, "As result of our family's journey through our daughter's unplanned pregnancy, I became keenly aware of the pivotal role parents play in the outcome of that pregnancy." www.amazon.com.

Book Report by Myrna Dykeman

FORGIVEN OF MURDER , by Denise Mountenay.

On June 8/04 RTL sponsored Denise Mountenay to speak on the Island. Many bought her book. Having read her book, here is a brief report.

This book is her life story of a wild life style after she was raped at only 13 yrs. old. She had an abortion at the insistence of her mother. Gone were her dreams of keeping her baby. Following were repeat abortions at the insistence of her mother and boyfriends.

Denise vividly describes her abortions. There were no questions asked, except, "Does she have allergies?" and "Does she know why she is here?" Her answer, "I guess so", was accepted and no further questions. Before the abortion she was given 2 Tylenol pills. The abortion doctor asked only how far along she thought she was. The doctor answered Denise's questions by placing a pen dot on a paper and saying, At 8 weeks along that is all the baby is. Abortion providers never told her that abortion could lead to infection and would leave her with emotional scars and physical scars. They never told her that "terminating a pregnancy" actually kills a baby! They never told her abortion is a violent procedure! They never gave her any alternatives or life-options, like adoption or assistance in keeping her baby. The abortion staff use obscure terms like; "product of conception", "contents of the uterus" and "fetal tissue" to refer to her baby. Abortion is considered a violent form of birth control.

When Denise finally saw what drinking, drugs, and abortion did to her life & her health, she searched for God & became a "Born Again Christian". She tearfully asked God's forgiveness for murdering her babies & began to warn other girls.

By Feb. 1993, Denise was pregnant again and thrilled their 2nd child was on the way. On April 16 ultra-sound could not pick up a heartbeat. The baby's size was not according to the gestational time. The Gynecologists discovered her uterus is so scarred & damaged from the abortions, that they cannot believe she carried Shawn to birth. Abortion Syndrome especially manifests itself when one meets the perfect guy, settles down, and now wants to have a family. "I know first hand the pain of this kind of grief and sorrow!"

Denise says, "They never once mentioned I might regret this for the rest of my life or told me I would be plagued with guilt, remorse, shame, depression, and unbearable grief"

In conclusion there is absolutely nothing healthy or reproductive about women having a pre-born baby killed. Abortion is hazardous to a woman's health and deadly to the baby. In Denise's case the irreversible damage had been done. The uterus was full of scar tissue and the fallopian tubes looked like they went through a war zone. There was a battle there and the loss was immeasurable To anyone reading this, if pregnant and troubled, get a book on fetal development, call your closest Pregnancy Crises Center (1 800 665 0570), Pro-Life group or Birthright. You are not alone.

Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association will be held at the Basilica Rec. Center on Richmond Street, Charlottetown, on the 23rd of April at 3.00 pm. Registration from 2:15 to 2:45 pm. Memberships can be obtained or renewed at registration. A donation of $10 is requested for the banquet to follow the meeting. Do call the office if you are attending the banquet (894-5473).

The Guest speaker will be from the N.B. Right to Life. This will be an information session and update on the Morgentaler case on abortion clinics now in court in N.B. and the implications of this case for us on the Island.

Celebrate life services

7.30 pm Wednesday, April 13 at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Sherwood.

7.00 pm Thursday, April 14 at Baptist Church in Alexandra.

Everyone welcome. There will be a guest speaker and lunch will be served.

ON FIRE FOR LIFE

The Rev. M.J. Rooney Council #7791 Knights of Columbus from the parish of St. Simon and St. Jude in Tignish P.E.I. are releasing details on their second annual 'On Fire for Life" weekend scheduled for the dates of May 14 and 15. The weekend will feature various pro-life events in the parish.

They are pleased to announce that Father Peter West will be the keynote speaker for the weekend. Father West has been working on pro-life causes since 1986. He earned an M.A. degree in theology from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell Center and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1991. Father West was the founder of Amicus, a successful Catholic young adult group for men and women in their twenties and thirties. He also has experience working with youth as a teacher and as a group leader. In his pastoral ministry he has preached frequently on the topic of abortion. He has been able to dissuade women from having abortions and has helped women who have had abortions to find healing and peace.

He is a member of the Priests for Life. This organization, an official, nonprofit private association of the faithful under the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, is a pro-life network of more than 40,000 priests and deacons. Its mission is to train and motivate the clergy and the laity to be more effectively pro-life.

Saturday events:

Saturday's events will get underway with a pro-life conference involving various Knights of Columbus Councils, Catholic Women's League, and Right to Life Council's of Prince County. The main goal of the conference will be to establish a means to "Move Forward Together" on pro-life issues and to work together to promote a "Culture of Life". The conference will get under way at two o'clock at the Tignish Parish Center. Father West will help to coordinate this conference. The Tignish C.W.L. is sponsoring this event.

On Saturday evening at the parish center there will be a youth rally and concert titled "Building a Culture of Life". The Christian rock band "Ninth Hour" will be featured as well as other musical youth groups from the diocese.

The youth event will begin with music at ST. Simon and St. Jude Church at six o'clock. This will be followed with a celebration of Mass at seven o'clock. The rally and concert will take place at the parish center after completion of the youth Mass. During the rally there will be personnel testimonies and Father West will host a question and answer session with the youth as well as speaking to them on the issues of abortion and chastity. The free event is open to all grade nine to twelve students as well as their parents if they wish to attend. The confirmation class of the parish is the sponsor of the youth events.

Sunday events:

Sunday events will get underway with Father Peter West celebrating mass at eleven o'clock followed by Eucharistic adoration and Rosary from twelve noon till two forty five. There will be a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Tignish. Last year's procession drew hundreds of participants. The final event of the day will take place at four o'clock, back at the church, with Father West delivering his keynote address. He will speak on how we can help to build a "Culture of Life" in our homes, our communities, and our country.

A goodwill offering will be taken to help cover the cost for the weekend. If your require further information on the event, you can contact Grand Knight of Council #7791, Gerard LeClair, at 1-902-853-3777 or 1-902-853-6626 or email gerardhleclair@pei.sympatico.ca.

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