CCBI News – Euthanasia for Children in the Netherlands; Recommended in Canada; Status in Quebec

April 26, 2023

Dear Friends of CCBI,

Euthanasia for Children in the Netherlands

The very mention of such an action is repellent to anyone who holds fast to the idea of protecting life from conception until natural death. We abhor the deliberate ending of someone’s life, even if requested, and the possibility that this would be done to such a young member of society is even more abhorrent, if that is possible. Not only that, but these children will not have the possibility of the already dangerous moral standard of ‘choice,’ nor, by virtue of their age and stage, of giving consent: their own parents will make the decision.

I’ve never forgotten Mother Teresa saying that if a mother can kill her own child in the womb, why would it stop there? Child euthanasia is about to become legal in the Netherlands in certain situations and is already legal in Belgium. We are assured by the Department of Justice that as in all euthanasia procedures, “safeguards are or will be in place.” We should remember that when the Netherlands first legalized euthanasia one of the primary safeguards was that the requesting person must have reached the age of majority, i.e., the age decided on by any country, usually around the age of 18-21. Then the Groningen Protocol was made an exception. This Protocol was devised at one of the leading paediatric hospitals in the Netherlands, whereby parents could request that a child up to the age of one who had a serious illness or handicap be euthanized. The safeguards of consent and age of majority (two of the Dutch safeguards provided in its original legislation) have been breached for years, and the coming legislation now confirms the practice for all children between newborn to age 12, generically. So much for legislated safeguards!

On March 3, 2023, we reported in NEWS that a Parliamentary Special Joint Commission has already reported on the possibility of extending euthanasia to minor children in Canada. The Report, although favourable towards euthanasia for what it called ‘mature minors,’ stated that not enough had been done to include minors themselves in discussions on this topic, and it was decided there would be a five-year period to gather this information before being put forward for possible legislation. The very fact that such a Commission was even established shows an already general movement towards extending MAiD, and opponents need to be vigilant. Unlike euthanasia solely for mental illness, euthanasia for babies and children has not yet been legislated. It is, however, being strongly recommended, and it is up to ordinary Canadians to speak out and protest this extension at public hearings and to contact MPs, the Minister of Justice, the PM’s office and take any action we can.

The somewhat unexpected outcry against euthanasia solely for mental illness is a hopeful sign that many people are finally beginning to become aware of the perils inherent in euthanasia procedures, even if in some situations it is too late, unless there were so much momentum that the law would be repealed. Another threat, however, is that Quebec is contemplating legislation allowing euthanasia for children, and this will be a second thin edge of the wedge, along with the Special Committee’s Report, in persuading the Canadian public that this is necessary out of ‘compassion’ for children with serious illnesses and handicaps. We need to remind our fellow citizens that, in respecting life from conception until natural death, we Catholics show our compassion in affirming the inherent worth of these children, seeking their good through research, medical treatment, social assistances, etc., but not through deliberately bringing about their death! Killing as a solution shows only society’s limitations in dealing with problems, whereas the Culture of Life is something we can and must promote for the good of all.

Netherlands backs euthanasia for terminally ill children under-12 – BBC News

Netherlands to broaden euthanasia rules to cover children of all ages | Assisted dying | The Guardian

Pope Francis’ Intentions for April

For a non-violent culture

We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence by decreasing the use of weapons by states and citizens.

“Let us remember that, even in cases of self-defense, peace is the ultimate goal, and that a lasting peace can exist only without weapons,” Pope Francis said. Vatican News Service

Moira and Bambi