‘No’ to assisted suicide bill

Richard A. Sokerka

The State Assembly Appropriations Committee released Assembly Bill 2451 that would make assisted suicide legal in New Jersey on Oct. 6.

This bill should have the full attention of every Catholic in the state. Each and every one of us should take appropriate action immediately to see that it never becomes law. For as Patrick Brannigan, executive director of the N.J. Catholic Conference, stated in testimony before the committee, “Let us never forget that medical science is called to eradicate the illnesses from which we suffer; not to eradicate the patients who suffer the illnesses. Our duty is to assist those who are dying- not kill them. Physicians put their knowledge and skills at the service of healing those who are ill. If medical doctors were to use their skills to help people kill themselves — they would be violating their sacred oath.”

Brannigan also pointed out to the committee there are tools already in place to alleviate pain and to bring physical, psychological and spiritual comfort to terminally ill patients — through palliative and hospice care. “As a society, we need to increase our efforts to inform both the medical community and the general public about the wonderful advances in palliative and hospice care. In 2014, the State established the N. J. Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care with a mandate to submit a report with recommendations on end of life care to the governor and the legislature.” He urged the legislature to work with the N.J. Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care rather than passing A2451.

October is Respect Life Month, an apropos time for Catholics across the state to unite and let their voice be heard on the issue of legalizing assisted suicide. It is urgent that all of us contact our state legislators this month and tell them that we oppose A2451/S2474. Go to: https://www.votervoice.net/NJCC/Campaigns/48172/Respond and craft your message to legislators to tell them they should vote “no” to legalize assisted suicide in New Jersey.