Where the Rubber Hits the Road: June 2017

The previous two articles I've posted below are proof positive that those who are promoting this culture of death will stop at nothing until every institution (and eventually every health care professional) is forced to start killing patients. We are falling down a slippery slope more rapidly than I believe even the death advocates would have believed possible. I can't help but think of that famous quote from Martin Niemöller:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

The time has arrived for people to speak out before we arrive at a place where no institution or health care professional will be safe from the predations of the death movement.

Catholic Health Corp. stacks St. Boniface Hospital board to stop assisted dying

Catholic Health Corp. stacks St. Boniface Hospital board to stop assisted dying - Manitoba - CBC News

One year after Canada's medically assisted dying law, patients face uneven access

One year after Canada's medically assisted dying law, patients face uneven access - Health - CBC News

Shaping the Image of God: Thoughts about Fatherhood

Shaping the Image of God: Thoughts about Fatherhood - Catholic Stand : Catholic Stand

Replies to Atheists' & Skeptics' Garden Variety Objections

17 June, 2017

We live in dangerous times... at least that is if you're sick enough to need hospitalization

We live in dangerous times. Dangerous that is if you fall seriously ill and have to go to a hospital in my corner of Quebec. Dangerous because you just might run into a physician who decides that it’s better for you to die than to be treated.

Why would I make such an allegation? Let me explain.

Tonight I am preparing to celebrate a funeral for someone (let's call him 'H' to protect his privacy) who, while suffering from cancer, was admitted to hospital with an unrelated problem, a bladder infection. H's family had him admitted to the hospital earlier in the week under the assumption that the doctors there would treat the infection and then he would be able to return home. To their shock and horror, they discovered that the attending physician had indeed made the decision NOT to treat the infection. When they demanded that he change his course of (in)action, he refused, stating that it would be better if 'H' died of this infection now rather than let cancer take its course and kill him later. Despite their demands and pleadings, the doctor would not budge from his decision. In fact, he deliberately hastened 'H’s end by ordering large amounts of morphine ‘to control pain’ which resulted in him losing consciousness as his lungs filled up with fluid. In less than 24 hrs., 'H' was dead.

Let me tell you a bit about 'H'. He was 63 years old. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters who are both currently working in universities towards their undergraduate degrees. We are not talking here about someone who was advanced in years and rapidly failing due to the exigencies of old age. We are talking about a man who was undergoing ongoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. We are talking about a man who still held on to hope that perhaps he might defy the odds long enough to see his daughters graduate. Evidently and tragically, in the eyes of the physician tasked with providing the care needed to beat back the infection, that hope was not worth pursuing.

Again let me make this point abundantly clear: It was the express desire of both the patient and his spouse that the doctor treat the infection. This wish was ignored by a doctor who believed he alone and not his patient possessed the authority to determine whether or not he deserved to live or die. For the life of me, I cannot comprehend how someone who professes to follow the Hippocratic Oath could presume to take such a life and death decision from the hands a patient… even more so in a case like this where the patient and his spouse both made it clear that they wanted him to live, and where no 'extraordinary means' were demanded or asked for. All that they wanted was the application of sufficient antibiotics to defeat the infection. And their wish was denied, and the patient paid the cost of that decision with his life.

This is happening more and more frequently in this new age of legalized ‘doctor-assisted death’ where the prohibition against taking an innocent life has been abrogated. Doctors such as the one I am talking about in this case apparently assume that they alone possess the right and capacity to determine the timing and manner of a patient's death. In these days of overcrowded and underfunded hospitals, this is happening far more frequently than you might have imagined and this is something that should concern us all.

As a pastor of three parishes with significant senior populations, I have seen this situation play out in more and more cases. It must not be allowed to go unchallenged lest we soon arrive at a place where health care professionals and institutions fully take unto themselves the sole role of being the arbiters of someone's life or death.

We are indeed living in dangerous time, that is until some hospitalization brings us face to face with a physician who chooses to take unto him or herself the right to determine whether our 'quality of life' warrants treatment or death.

Be afraid, people. Be very, very afraid. We are indeed living in very dangerous times.

‘You can’t just pick and choose’: Alberta Christian school fights board request to remove ‘offensive’ scripture

‘You can’t just pick and choose’: Alberta Christian school fights board request to remove ‘offensive’ scripture | National Post

Looking at Martin Luther with fresh eyes: by Bishop Robert Barron

Martin Luther - Aleteia

BeDADitudes, Encouragement for Fathers

BeDADitudes, Encouragement for Fathers - Aleteia

8 Awesome Father's Day Gifts for Catholic Dads

8 Awesome Father's Day Gifts for Catholic Dads – EpicPew

7 QT: Seven Sizzling Books for Summer

7 QT: Seven Sizzling Books for Summer - Jean M. Heimann

16 June, 2017

Sex assault victim jailed after Crown, police refused to pick up hotel bill

Sex assault victim jailed after Crown, police refused to pick up hotel bill - Edmonton - CBC News

Comment: It’s time to tell our side of euthanasia story

Trudeau’s politics: While the Canadian prime minister identifies as Catholic, his policies depart from Church teaching

Trudeau’s politics

15 June, 2017

Father Raymond J. de Souza: Our history with aboriginals has too much darkness. But don’t ignore the light.

Father Raymond J. de Souza: Our history with aboriginals has too much darkness. But don’t ignore the light | National Post

Are We Experiencing a Catholic Marriage Vocations Crisis?

Compared to two decades ago, the number of American Catholics getting married every year has been cut in half—that’s according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. If that does not constitute a marriage crisis, it would be hard to imagine what would. And it’s worth wondering if part of the problem lies in our presentation of marriage.

Are We Experiencing a Catholic Marriage Vocations Crisis? | ncregister.com

In latest meetings, cardinal advisors continue forward with reform

Can a scientist be Catholic?

Canada just weathered the first gust of the baby boomer demographic storm, but the worst is yet to come

Colby Cosh: Canada just weathered the first gust of the baby boomer demographic storm, but the worst is yet to come | National Post

Life in Ancient Israel: Archaeologists have been able to paint a fairly clear portrait of life in 1200-1000 BC.

Life in Ancient Israel--Aleteia

The Catechism is right, we do not need limbo

The Catechism is right, we do not need limbo | CatholicHerald.co.uk

14 June, 2017

A scientist explains how being bilingual makes your brain more robust - Business Insider

I know this to be true. When I suffered a small stroke last summer I suddenly couldn't understand people who spoke to me in English but didn't have the same trouble when someone spoke to me in French which I learned as an adult. It only lasted a short few minutes but it proved to me that I use different parts of my brain for each language... something I was very grateful for last June.

A scientist explains how being bilingual makes your brain more robust - Business Insider

Continuing the Reconciliation of Evolution with Revelation - Catholic Stand : Catholic Stand

Way beyond the New Atheist Nonsense: the latest from George Weigel on the First Things blog

Way beyond the New Atheist Nonsense | George Weigel | First Things

Delve into the Milky Way in this 3.3 gigapixel image of clouds of gas and dust

Delve into the Milky Way in this 3.3 gigapixel image of clouds of gas and dust - Technology & Science - CBC News

Philosopher who backs legal abortion appointed to Vatican pro-life academy: Say what???

Philosopher who backs legal abortion appointed to Vatican pro-life academy | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Ruling allows students to opt out of religious classes at Catholic school

Ruling allows students to opt out of religious classes at Catholic school | CTV News

Cardinal warns immigrants: 'Show respect if you want welcome'

'Kathy Griffin and the Vanishing of Argument' by Bishop Robert Barron

Kathy Griffin and the Vanishing of Argument | Word On Fire

Let's stop using "conscience" as a mere excuse for a lazy immorality

13 June, 2017

Hearing could spark new assisted death trial in Canada

Hearing could spark new assisted death trial | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

12 June, 2017

We are not a Church in retreat. We can’t be, because we have the Eucharist.

Corpus Christi processions--Aleteia

Should Catholics fear Islam? Recent popes and the Second Vatican Council advise respect; one tiny nun in Boston suggests something more...

Should Catholics fear Islam?--Aleteia

Bernie Sanders Says Christians Need Not Apply for Public Office

Bernie Sanders Says Christians Need Not Apply for Public Office | ncregister.com

10 June, 2017

PopeWatch: Que? – I don't see an issue.

How about interpreting what Pope Francis said through a Christological lens? God and man are united in the person of Jesus therefore it would be to deny his very existence without his full and complete possession of his humanity. That’s the way I understood what he said. I think that LifeSite is the one who's misunderstanding what the Pope said. What do you think?

PopeWatch: Que? – The American Catholic