Bishop Gerald Wiesner, O.M.I.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Of recent times the media is reminding us that we are living through a time of weakness in our Church. It needs to be said that sexual abuse of minors, especially by clergy and religious, is inexcusable. It must be admitted that wrong has been done and many persons have been seriously wounded, in many instances for life. It must also be admitted that in some instances, secrecy prevailed and the abuse was allowed to continue. This too is wrong.

Fault on the part of the Church needs to be acknowledged and serious effort needs to be made to ensure that the abuse does not continue and that opportunities for victims to find healing be provided. Without announcing peoples’ faults to the world there is need for the Church to be transparent and to cooperate with civil authorities in these matters.

Since 1992 the Canadian Bishops have made constant and serious effort to eliminate this problem and provide proper methods of healing and prevention.

In our diocese we have faithfully followed the directives and have a proper committee in place to deal with issues as they surface.

I am truly sorry for the pain that these matters have caused and, in many instances, the continuing pain many experience through constant reminders. It is at a time like this that we need to renew our faith in the Risen Lord who has conquered all evil, and to renew our prayerful support for one another.

Sincerely in our Lord,

Gerald Wiesner, O.M.I.
Bishop

Bishop’s Letter to Parliament Re: Bill C:384

Mr. Richard Harris
Member of Parliament
206 – 575 Quebec Street
Prince George, BC V2L 1W6

Dear Mr. Harris:

I am writing on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince George, which covers the territory from Fort St. John to and including the Queen Charlotte Islands. I wish to express our position regarding the proposed Bill C-384.

It would appear quite clear that legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide legalizes the taking of the life of another person. The principles involved are the intrinsic value and sanctity of human life and the relational or interdependent quality of human life which imposes a sense of mutual responsibility. Although a legal distinction is made between euthanasia and assisted suicide, there is no ethical difference. The moral responsibility is the same whether the third party provides the pills or gives an injection.

Catholics believe that life is a gift of God’s love and goodness. We do not have absolute dominion over the gift of life; we are stewards, not owners of life. Consequently, the time and circumstances of our birth and death, and that of others, are not ours to choose. Death is an inevitable part of life and a transition to eternal life.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide have broad and grave consequences. The frail, poor, elderly and others who are vulnerable would be at the mercy of third parties who could exercise pressure on them to see an earlier death as an option. They could even feel compelled to ask for a premature death if it is available. This danger would only increase as health resources decrease.

The role of the physician and the patients’ trust in the physician would be undermined. Palliative care would be marginalized. If assisted suicide or euthanasia were permitted for the terminally ill on the basis of their suffering, their autonomy and their individual self-determination over life itself, how could it be denied to those who are depressed, infirm, frail or suffering for other reasons?

Legitimately euthanasia or assisted suicide, which allows one person to kill another, would diminish respect for human life. It would also erode the basic trust that human life will be protected – a trust that is essential to the functioning of any society.

Thank you, Mr. Harris, for giving attention to our concerns. Thank you for serving our people and country the way you do.

Sincerely yours,

Gerald Wiesner, O.M.I.
Bishop

GW:malj