The Catholic Church files a lawsuit against Quebec's death law

The office of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Montreal has filed a lawsuit against Quebec's end-of-life legislation, arguing it violates religious freedom.

The lawsuit says the Catholic Church should be exempted from a section of the law that requires all palliative care homes in the province to provide medical care at the time of death.

It said the law would force the Catholic Church to choose between allowing the procedure, which it finds morally objectionable, or abandoning the palliative care center, known as St. Raphael's. Since 2019, St. Raphael's has sent patients to MAID to run provincial facilities, but the church says it should not be forced to provide medical care on its property.

Archbishop Christian Lepin's office says palliative care homes have the same right to refuse to provide services they find morally objectionable as medical doctors.

The Quebec Palliative Care Association said in March 2023 that there were only four palliative care facilities in the province that did not offer MAID.

Sonia Belanger, a spokeswoman for seniors in the provincial minister's office, declined to comment on the lawsuits but reiterated the government's commitment to making MAID available.

“Our government's will is clear: everyone in a palliative care home can receive medical care in the event of death if they wish. All palliative care homes will offer it from the end of 2023, according to the law,” the statement said. statement by Sarah Bigras.