Does dying with dignity always mean actively ending life?
Professor Margaret O'Connor and Dr Susan Lee
Issue 24, April 2008
Our daily papers perennially carry lead articles about aspects of controlling one's own death. Provocative articles, occurring so regularly, might make one wonder if the community's fears about dying are justified. Perhaps in our desire to squeeze the most out of life, together with the seduction of medical technology that promises a longer life, has made some of us uneasy about just how our own end will come. Isn't this the skill of palliative care and if so, how is it that we never hear about it? Whilst one would not want to negate the arguments about an individual's rights within a demographic society, there are several other aspects of care at the end of life that are worthy of consideration.
Reflections on Aging
Michael McCabe
Issue 25, August 2008
Introduction
Any reflection on aging as a process is enriched by the process of theological reflection. There used to be a book for students of the piano called "Easy Tunes for Little Fingers" - the theory being that once you had the basic scale or the foundational notes to music, you could build a tune that was as simple or complex as one would want to play. Theological reflection is a similar process. Like any discipline it begins with some very simple concepts and then adds in more complex thought as one encounters the mystery that is Christ. Theology is described variously as "faith seeking understanding" or "the clothing of the faith experience in Christ." It begins with an experience, and, guided by the light of the Holy Spirit seeks to understand this experience in both a reasonable and faith-filled way. The task of theology, and it is a disciplined and demanding task, is the search for truth. The seventeenth century poet John Donne expresses the challenge of searching for truth very beautifully when he says:
"On a huge hill,
Cragged, and steep,
Truth stands."
Going Too Far
Rod MacLeod
Issue 26, November 2008
At a recent public forum on End-of-Life choices sponsored by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society in Auckland, Jack Jones, the national president of that society suggested that "directives, right to refuse treatment and palliative care, especially as provided by the hospice movement, do not cover all situations where people have reached the stage of life when it has lost all quality". He went on in his address to the forum to suggest that those with dementia should perhaps consider seeking voluntary euthanasia. The Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Zealand [VES] has as its object "a change to the law to allow terminally ill patients, or those whose quality of life has diminished to an unacceptable extent, the right to a peaceful death with dignity at a time of their own choosing". What was alarming about this statement was not just that it was made, but also that that many of the society's members, speaking from the floor, seemed to support that notion, that people with dementia should consider voluntary euthanasia as a way of reducing health service costs so enabling more to be spent on children and younger people.
Editorial - Aging with Grace: Mercy and Bioethics
Michael McCabe
Issue 28, August 2009
At different points in ministry, since those halcyon days of seminary life at Holy Cross College, I have been reminded of an adage from the Rector, Monsignor Tom Liddy, who often said that, "One does not grow old. Rather one becomes old by not growing!" While every age and culture presents unique and fresh challenges for giving flesh to the gospel every life and all ministry contains a recurring theme of the need for growth in Christ.
From the Heart – A Relative's Perspective
Michael McCabe
Issue 29, November 2009
The following speech was the opening address at the "Changing Minds Conference" in Lower Hutt on August 28, 2009. The Conference explored the needs of the chronically ill and their transition to palliative care.
From the Heart - A Physician's Perspective
Sinead Donnelly
Issue 29, November 2009
The following speech was the closing address at the "Changing Minds Conference" in Lower Hutt on August 28, 2009.
"I have just heard Michael McCabe's beautiful paper "From the Heart - A Relative's Perspective". I am crying. I can hear the love beating its way out of the page, not just flowing, not unfolding, not just emerging. The grace of love beats itself wildly out of the page, leaps into my heart, cries out to my eyes and snuggles down. I am touched by his family story.
Interview with Professor Erny Gillen – Moral Theologian and Bioethicist from Luxembourg
Issue 29, November 2009
Professor Erny Gillen teaches Moral Theology and Bioethics at Luxembourg Seminary. He is Episcopal Vicar for Social Affairs and President of Caritas in Luxembourg. He is also President of Caritas Europa and Vice President of Caritas Internationalis in Rome. During August he visited Wellington where I was able to interview him for this issue of The Nathaniel Report.
"When Did You Last See Your Father?"
Michael McCabe
Issue 29, November 2009
In the August 2009 edition of The Nathaniel Report, former Deputy Chief Families Commissioner Sharron Cole wrote about the role of the Families Commission and the changing nature of family demographics in New Zealand. That article provides a companion piece to the following article which was originally presented as part of the Hospice New Zealand Genesis Breakfast Lecture Series on 2 July 2009. Some 40 sites participated in this teleconference.