Euthanasia & End-of-life Care Reader Introduction Hurihia to aroaro ki te ra tukuna to atarangi kia taka ki muri i a koe. Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Welcome to this ‘Reader’ on euthanasia and end-of-life care. This compilation of medical papers, audio interviews, video-links, newspaper articles, lectures and submissions to parliament is intended to aid the reader’s understanding and appreciation of complex theological, ethical and legal issues. There is a considerable amount of tension held in this small collection. Argument and counter argument are explored as you encounter the wide spectrum of beliefs held and defended. A team from the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki has assembled these resources at the request of its clergy. Although it is in part a response to the Hon David Seymour’s End-of-life Choice Bill it goes well beyond that catalyst. The Team has attempted to collate resources that will practically help pastoral caregivers as they journey alongside those who are dying and their whānau. We are indebted to the work and experience of the following who generously gave their time and expertise to help determine which resources would be most useful. Rev Julian Perkins has worked as an Ecumenical Chaplain at Waikato Hospital for the past two years. Prior to this he was long-term Chaplain to Sheffield Teaching Hospital (UK) and previously a Vicar in the Church of England. Rev Juliet Drage has worked extensively in mental health and chaplaincy services, is a nurse, and was deaconed in 2001. Juliet champions the ministry of deacons and the plight of those living with mental health issues. Heather Major is the lay minister in charge of All Saints’ Community Church in St Andrew’s/Bryant Park. She has a long history of Christian leadership, is a strong advocate of people living with disabilities, and journeyed with her husband throughout his terminal illness. Rev Andrew McKean: Andrew is the current Ecumenical Chaplain at Waikato University and a Third Order member of the Franciscans. He is passionate about theological education and fostering inter-faith relations. Rev Canon Sue Pickering: Sue has studied and tutored Biomedical Ethics and has had 30+ years of practical experience in pastoral and spiritual care, most recently as a chaplain in aged care where the complex issues around dying and death filled countless conversations. This reader is divided into broad subject areas as follows: Terms and Legislation: a short video; an overview of the terms associated with euthanasia and end-of-life care; some clarification around what Hon David Seymour intended by sponsoring the End-of-Life-Choice Bill. Care of Dying and Palliative Care: a series of lectures on death, dying and funerals; assorted approaches to spiritual care provided to those who are dying; suffering from a medical perspective. 1 | P a g e P a l l i a t i v e a n d E n d - of- L i f e C a r e R e a d e r Theology and Ethics: a miscellany of theological rationales and secular perspectives. International Voice: submissions made to our Select Committee from a Dutch medical practitioner, and a journalist; a short article considering some international aspects of euthanasia. The Stories: video-links and select committee submissions from people experiencing end-of- life care or living/working those in a palliative condition. There is no specific priority given to the order of items within each chapter. Nevertheless, we have tried to make it as logical and representative as possible. We also encourage you to watch Archbishop Philip’s address on the topic of euthanasia and to share it with your communities (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxXpHMb4feM&t=15s). We trust that you will read the material in the spirit in which it has been prepared for you: prayerfully. Compassionate God, Beaten and hung upon the cross; You know pain and suffering, You know the value of human life. Help us to comfort all those in distress, To advocate for the vulnerable, To honour both life and death. Guide us as we care for one another, And find our way back to You. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Ven Stephen Black April, 2019 We are very grateful to the many contributors represented in this reader. This compilation is for private use only. It has been provided to you free of charge and may not be re-distributed in any format. Any errors or misrepresentations are accidental and the fault of the compiler. Cover Photograph: Pilgrim Markers to Lindisfarne, taken by Rev Can Sue Pickering P a l l i a t i v e a n d E n d - of- L i f e C a r e R e a d e r 2 | P a g e Table of Contents Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Part One: Terms and Legislation ................................................................................................................................... 5 What is Euthanasia? ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 “In Sure and Certain Hope” : References and Definitions ................................................................................................ 5 Sponsor’s Report on the End of Life Choice Bill: David Seymour ...................................................................................... 8 End of Life Choice Bill: Eligibility Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 9 Care Alliance Report on End of Life Choice Bill submissions to the Justice Select Committee ........................................ 13 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Overview of findings ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Doctors, nurses and other health care staff ......................................................................................................... 14 Other interested groups ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Length and form of submissions .......................................................................................................................... 15 Religious arguments ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Content analysis of submissions ............................................................................................................................... 16 Theme 1: Adverse impacts on vulnerable people and society overall ...................................................................... 17 Illustrative quotes from submissions ................................................................................................................... 18 Elderly people ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 People with mental health issues ......................................................................................................................... 18 People with depression ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Disabled people .................................................................................................................................................... 19 Theme 2: Overseas experience not reassuring ......................................................................................................... 19 Illustrative quotes from submissions ................................................................................................................... 20 Theme 3: Assisted suicide and euthanasia undermine suicide prevention efforts. .................................................. 20 Illustrative quotes from submissions ................................................................................................................... 20 Theme 4: Doctor patient relationship ....................................................................................................................... 22 Illustrative quotes from submissions ................................................................................................................... 22 Theme 5: The Bill breaches a long-standing societal and ethical understanding that doctors should not intentionally end a patient’s life. .............................................................................................................................. 23 Illustrative quotes from submissions ................................................................................................................... 24 Theme 6: Palliative care works but needs proper resourcing ................................................................................... 24 Illustrative quotes from submissions ..................................................................................................................