Euthanasia

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
23 Aug 2009

Christian Rossiter from Perth has terrible quadriplegia, acquired after a series of falls. He is unable to clear his throat or wipe the tears from his eyes, and can only take food and water through a tube in his stomach.

Once active and adventurous, he is now confined to a wheel chair. He says his life is a living hell. His suffering is enormous.

Mr Rossiter has asked his carers at least 40 times to stop feeding him so he can die. On 16 August, the Supreme Court of Western Australia said that they can comply with this request without breaking the law.

Chief Justice Martin made it clear that his ruling was not about euthanasia, or doctors assisting patients to commit suicide, or "the right to life or even the right to death". It was strictly based on the right of every mentally competent person to refuse medical treatment.

There is an immense difference between refusing medical treatment, particularly when the burden outweighs any possible benefits, and actively putting an end to someone's life.

God is the master of life. It is not ours to end. But we are not obliged to prolong suffering with excessive or extraordinary means.

Food and water is a basic right and it is strange to consider it a form of medical treatment. It is really basic care, like shelter and warmth. Should we allow people to die by depriving them of shelter, if this is what they ask for?

Often there are better ways of helping. Inadequate pain relief, insufficient care and attention, loneliness, and depression are some major reasons why terminally ill people ask to die.

Mr Rossiter is not terminally ill, and he has not yet decided to refuse food and water. Importantly, the court ruled that if he does any drugs given to ease his discomfort must not hasten or cause his death.

Since then it has been reported that Mr Rossiter is seeking advice from euthanasia fanatic Philip Nitschke about travelling to a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland. I hope he can find better advice and help.

This is a tragic and heart-rending case, but respect for human life is of the first importance. The Dutch experience shows that once euthanasia starts it is impossible to prevent involuntary euthanasia.

Asking to end one's life is a cry for help. All of us need to know we are loved, valued and needed, especially when we are suffering.