Seeking euthanasia may result Catholics being denied sacraments

Priests may deny sacraments to Catholics who seek euthanasia

Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

Seeking euthanasia may result Catholics being denied sacraments, say some Canadian bishops.

While the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia in Canada does not alter the truth that these acts are “gravely immoral,” it is “foreseeable” that priests will receive requests for the sacraments from Catholics contemplating these actions, the Alberta and NWT bishops stated in a document released Wednesday.

As well as requests for confession and anointing of the sick from Catholics who might have arranged for or are considering assisted suicide or euthanasia, or from their families, priests can also expect requests for Catholic funerals “for persons who have been killed by these practices,” noted the 34-page “Vademecum for Priests and Parishes.

” How are we to respond with a pastoral care that at once expresses the Church’s deep concern for the salvation of souls and safeguards the dignity of the sacraments and the nature of her funeral rites?” wrote the six bishops, who are responsible for more than one million Catholics in five dioceses.” Read more

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News category: News Shorts, World.

Tags: Canadian bishops, Euthanasia, Sacraments

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