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
The idea of “dying with dignity” seems to suggest that a person can lose their dignity at a certain point of their illness or disability. In April 2024, the Church wrote the following: “each human being, regardless of their vulnerabilities, receives his or her dignity from the sole fact of being willed and loved by God.” (Infinite Dignity) The Church was critical of cultures which “marginalize or even oppress individuals with disabilities, treating them as ‘rejects’”. Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken out against a “throwaway culture” that does not provide support and love to people who are experiencing vulnerabilities, but instead offers death through euthanasia.
The purpose of the Christian life is to know God as revealed in Jesus Christ, have faith in Him, and imitate Him in all that we do. (Mt. 22:37) This includes loving others by keeping the commandments such as “You shall not murder”. (Ex. 20:13, Mt. 19:18)
A policy passed by the medical regulator in Nova Scotia in May 2024 requires physicians to participate in MAiD. 42 Nova Scotia physicians have indicated that they cannot follow the policy that forces them to refer patients for euthanasia and advise patients when they might qualify. 8 other Canadian jurisdictions have found ways around this problem.
The reasons people choose MAiD may surprise you. The following statistics are for the people who died by MAiD in Canada in 2022. 53% experienced a loss of dignity. 35% perceived that they were a burden on others. 17% chose MAiD because of loneliness and isolation. 86% felt a loss of ability to engage in meaningful activities.
