Page 11 - The Portal Magazine - December 2024

THE P RTAL December 2024 Page 11

have of burdening already grieving and stressed family members opposing the introduction of the Bill. This
members and friends. In all this the process of dying, could be hugely significant, especially considering the
whilst terrible, can still be a time of quality of life. The number of Muslim physicians currently working within
bedside of the dying person can really become a sacred the NHS.
space where God works. Euthanasia destroys this and
the unique opportunities for light which can come As part of the Sacrament of the Sick and Unction the
through encounter with the darkness of death. priest will read the following passage of scripture,

At the time a person is dying they still have much to Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the
offer, even if in only seemingly small ways. Love can be elders of the church to pray over them and anoint
shared with family members, and I have experienced them with oil in the name of the Lord and the
countless times where the dying person has witnessed prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
to their faith through their courage and love shown to well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have
those who watch at their bedside. Our faith reminds sinned, they will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)
us that death can provide the gift of being more
closely united to Christ’s Passion, ‘In a certain way Unction, in addition to what St James instructs
he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the includes, when possible, the reception of Holy
Saviour’s redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence Communion and Confession. I have lost count of the
of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a number of times I have been called to the Hospital to
participation in the saving work of Jesus’ (CCC1521). offer this sacrament to people. This would also be the
The Catechism goes further, case for all priests who visit people at home, local care
homes and in hospitals within their parishes. It is a
The sick who receive the Sacrament of Unction, “by regular part of the life and ministry of a priest. If the
freely uniting themselves to the passion and death Assisted Dying Bill were to pass, a great dilemma is
of Christ,… contribute to the good of the People of created. What are the expectations from the NHS to
God.” By celebrating this sacrament, the Church, in offer pastoral care to those who have decided to end
the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of their own lives? If a Catholic priest is asked to anoint or
the sick person, and he, for his part, through the grace bless a person who has made this decision, what is he to
of this sacrament, contributes to the sanctification of do? As a family member, what do we do when a relative
the Church and to the good of all men for whom the takes this step and asks for our prayers or advice?
Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to
God the Father. (CCC 1522). The Church teaches that, ‘No one can make an
attempt on the life of an innocent person without
Consequences for Chaplaincy opposing God’s love for that person, without violating a
Chaplaincy can be seen to provide unique insights fundamental right, and therefore without committing
into the discussion surrounding assisted dying, a crime of the utmost gravity’… Intentionally causing
but it will also face great challenges if this Bill were one’s own death, or suicide, is therefore equally as
to become law. It could even challenge the presence wrong as murder; such an action on the part of a person
of Catholic chaplains within the NHS, in the longer is to be considered as a rejection of God’s sovereignty
term. Most chaplains have a dual existence. We are and loving plan. (Congregation for the Doctrine of the
appointed by the local bishop to serve the Catholic Faith, Declaration on Euthanasia, May 5, 1980)
community, but many like me are also NHS employees.
Being an employee and part of the structure gives At the heart of Catholic pastoral and sacramental
opportunities but also comes with obligations, duties care for the dying is reconciliation. Putting things
and responsibilities to the employer. right with God through the ministry of his Church is
part of the healing process and expression of human
This can create tension. For example, a chaplain may dignity in Christ. How can this forgiveness be offered
be asked to bless a same sex couple, where one of the to someone who has made the decision to end their
couple is a patient. For the NHS this would be seen as life, which the Church teaches is such a violation and
good pastoral care but for a Catholic priest, upholding rejection of God?
the teaching of Christ, this would not be possible. Such
situations put chaplains in a very difficult position. As a priest, I would be misleading a person if I
Assisted dying brings a whole new range of difficulties were to offer the sacrament in this situation, and I
for Catholic chaplains. There are also ecumenical and would also be committing an act of sacrilege. It surely
interfaith concerns. For example, the British Islamic isn’t possible for a person to be reconciled through
Medical Association has issued a statement to all its
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