Archdiocese of Montreal sued to keep euthanasia out of care homes

The Catholic archbishop of the Diocese of Montreal has filed a lawsuit challenging Quebec's requirement that all palliative care homes, including religious ones, offer medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the country's legalized suicide and euthanasia.

Montreal Archbishop Christian Lepin filed a complaint with the Quebec Supreme Court on February 5. The claim comes after amendments came into force in December all Palliative care facilities should offer MAiD. The archdiocese operates the St. Raphael Home and Day Palliative Care Center in Montreal, a 12-bed facility converted from a former church.

“In accordance with the intentions of the founders, as well as our Catholic beliefs and values ​​… the former church should serve only the mission of palliative care and 'medical aid in dying' should not be provided on the premises,” the archdiocese said. in a statement.

“As a result of this new law, activities that we deem morally objectionable may occur on our property,” the statement said.

Previously, patients who wanted to receive MAiD at the facility were transferred elsewhere. In November, the archdiocese applied for an exemption from the new law, but that request was rejected by Quebec Health Minister Sonia Bélanger, who said MAiD is “part of the continuum of palliative and end-of-life care.” will be available “in all settings offering end-of-life care”.

READ: A new report highlights the negative impact of euthanasia on palliative care in Canada

In its statement, the archdiocese cited Catholic opposition to MAiD as the main reason for its new lawsuit. “The Catholic Church recognizes the need for high-quality palliative care that upholds the dignity of human life by providing effective pain management while meeting people's emotional, affective and spiritual needs,” the statement said.

“According to Catholic doctrine, human life is considered sacred and inviolable, from conception to natural death. Palliative care accompanies people and their loved ones at the end of life, aiming to relieve pain without prolonging or hastening death.”

In an interview with OSV News, Archbishop Lepin elaborated on the need for legal proceedings. “We talk about palliative care and MAiD because the law is related to these issues. But this is really freedom of conscience not only for individuals, but also for institutions,” he said. “That's what we're hoping to do moving forward. Whoever we are, we need a society with freedom of conscience for people and institutions.”

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