Faith Seeking Understanding: Medical Assistance in Dying
Faith Seeking Understanding: Medical Assistance in Dying is a resource to assist theologically focused discussions and to increase understanding of the realities of MAiD. This includes its impact on our communities, our role as Christians, its implications for the marginalized and vulnerable, its relationship with health care and social justice, God’s gift of life and our call to care for those who suffer.
In Sure and Certain Hope: Resources to Assist Pastoral and Theological Approaches to Physician Assisted Dying
In response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s February 2015 ruling that overturned the previous ban on physician assisting dying, the co-ordinating committee for Faith, Worship, and Ministry formed the Task Force on Physician Assisted Dying to craft a new resource for the Anglican Church of Canada that would provide updated perspectives in light of the new legal situation.
The result, In Sure and Certain Hope, addresses theological concerns and questions regarding physician assisted dying, maintains the church’s ongoing advocacy for the importance of palliative care, and offers new approaches for pastoral care to help individuals facing end-of-life challenges. Also included are a list of references and definitions along with prayer and liturgical resources.
In addition, a study guide is available as a companion piece to In Sure and Certain Hope. This study guide offers Canadian Anglicans an additional resource to reflect upon our pastoral responses to changes in the legal framework governing medical assistance in dying.
- Download the In Sure and Certain Hope Study Guide in full colour or black and white.
ELCIC Study Guide for Conversations on Medical Assistance in Dying
A study guide prepared by the ELCIC Task Force on Decisions at the End of Life in order to encourage conversations across the ELCIC regarding the needs of people in times of death and dying.
Submission to the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying in February 2016
The Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying was appointed by the Government of Canada to review the report of the External Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to Carter v. Canada and, following consultations, make recommendations on the framework of a federal response on physician-assisted dying.
Below are links to the official submission of the Anglican Church of Canada, in both official languages, under the cover of a letter to the Joint Chairs of the Special Joint Committee from The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz. These documents were received by the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying in February 2016.
- Letter from Archbishop Fred Hiltz to the Special Joint Committee
- Submission from the Anglican Church of Canada to the Special Joint Committee (English)
- Submission from the Anglican Church of Canada to the Special Joint Committee (French)
Care in Dying: A Consideration of the Practices of Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Dying
Euthanasia and physician assisted dying are perennial subjects of passionate discussion and debate in Canadian society. The following report and study guide, produced by the Anglican Church in March 2000, will be of assistance to those seeking to explore the issues from a faith perspective.
Send your comments and responses to Eileen Scully.