The passing of Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying legislation through the State Parliament on Wednesday is “deeply regrettable” and “disappointing”, according to Denis Hart, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne.
The bill was passed on Wednesday morning through the Lower House. It will come into force in 2019.
In a statement, Archbishop Hart said Victoria has now become the only location in the world this year to have legislated in favour of euthanasia and assisted suicide, with almost 50 other places rejecting such a move.
“Sadly, assisted suicide and euthanasia expose the most vulnerable in our society and undermine centuries of care and clinical practice,” he said. “Experience in other countries clearly demonstrates that Victoria is now at the beginning of a dangerous pathway where more and more people’s lives will be placed in jeopardy.”
Archbishop Hart said assisted suicide and euthanasia would not be part of the practice of Catholic aged care and health providers and said the archdiocese would strongly advocate that the Victorian Government “honours its promise of increased palliative care, particularly in regional areas”.
“I remind all people, health professionals and patients alike, that no one should ever be compelled to act against their conscience – we will continue to strongly assert that right,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Christian Lobby‘s Victorian director, Dan Flynn, said that there was “no doubt” the new laws would be used to the “disadvantage of hundreds of elderly frail people who will see the so-called ‘right to die’ as the ‘duty to die’”.
“We know that the elderly have already internalised the view that they are a burden to their family and carers,” he said. “There is no doubt that the Government has opened the door to the killing of people who may die because of mistakes or pressure from others.”
Last week, the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, said the passing of the assisted dying legislation was a “cause for lament”, describing it as a “dangerous and disturbing” piece of legislation.
“It represents a momentous social shift, with many doctors concerned about what it means for their profession and their duty to preserve life.”
