ST Nov 3, 2008This would be rather interesting to watch. My own view? The Catholics can do whatever they like among themselves, but they should leave the non-Catholics out of it.
Euthanasia is immoral
Catholic Church condemns practice and urges doctors to reject it as it 'violates medical ethics'.
By Lim Wei Chean
THE head of Singapore's Catholic Church yesterday publicly condemned euthanasia, a topic that has grabbed headlines in recent weeks as the Government considers changes to the laws that govern dying.
Archbishop Nicholas Chia wrote a letter on mercy killings that was read out during Sunday services at the country's 30-plus Catholic churches.
In it, he underlined the Church's views on death, describing euthanasia as 'immoral' and also calling on doctors to reject the practice.
'One cannot choose death and ask to be killed. When they do this, they are not only
committing the crime of suicide, but also compounding it by making another person a partner in a crime,' he wrote.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan discussed the issue of euthanasia last month after it was raised in the press.
The Government has not proposed legalising the practice, but has broached the idea of making changes to the Advance Medical Directive, or living will. The document instructs doctors not to artificially prolong the life of a terminally-ill patient with machines. The changes would make it easier for Singaporeans to turn down that care.
Opponents say that is one step on the slippery slope to euthanasia, which the Catholic Church has long considered taboo alongside other controversial practices like abortion.
Archbishop Chia condemned mercy killings in his letter, which was read out All Souls' Day, the annual day of remembering the dead.
Of course, in reality, the Catholics will probably seek to block the passing of any new law in Singapore that makes euthanasia more possible for people in general (not just Catholics).
I wonder how many Catholics we have, among our Members of Parliament.