On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message
In June 2026, euthanasia, commonly known as MAiD, became legal in Canada. This changed the medical and healthcare landscape for all Canadians. For Canadian Catholics specifically, this raises moral questions that lead to difficult conversations or to their avoidance.
To bring greater awareness, understanding, and faithful action regarding MAiD, the Archdiocese created a toolkit titled "On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message". The toolkit equips people to:
- Understand the current context of MAiD in Canada and Nova Scotia
- Talk about MAiD with family, friends, and parishioners
- Understand our Catholic teaching and stance against MAiD
- Access further resources
The toolkit is aimed at clergy, hospital chaplains, and those in pastoral care; however, it is available to all. The toolkit is meant to be used as a DIGITAL RESOURCE on your computer, tablet, or phone, and can be accessed by clicking the toolkit image to the left.
Many of the links within the toolkit connect to the resource directly, apart from the links below:
Dying with Christ, Living with Hope
On November 15 and 16, 2021 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will launch Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care. The launch marks the culmination of a four-year process whereby the CCCB partnered with experts from Pallium Canada, Dominican University College, the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, and the Congregation of the Sisters Saint Joseph in Canada. This partnership ensured the development of a high-level resource that will benefit Catholic parishioners eager to grow in their understanding of palliative care and Church teaching on end-of-life questions.
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
New legislation is coming and disability advocates are fearful. The federal government has tabled legislation to expand access to euthanasia to people who are not about to die, including people with disabilities. A 2019 government report said that people choose euthanasia because of fear of being a burden, loneliness, lack of support, or loss of dignity and meaning. People with disabilities face these issues daily. As a society, we have a responsibility to support the vulnerable, not allow them to be permanently silenced.
On Ash Wednesday, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a response to Bill C-7: "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)" which was tabled on Monday February 24, 2020.
A presentation by Deacon Larry Worthen at two locations: St. Thomas Aquinas Hall, 6350 Cornwall St., Halifax on Monday, February 24, at 700 pm and St. Clements Church, 16 Gaston Rd., Dartmouth on Monday, March 2 700 pm.
