The Archbishop of Wellington, Cardinal John Dew, last month drew attention to a statement of claim filed in the High Court seeking a ruling to determine whether a GP can lawfully administer a lethal dose of drugs to a person who is terminally ill. He encouraged Catholics “to take some time to inform ourselves and Read more
Auckland-born Dr Davison served five months’ home detention in Dunedin in 2011 for giving a lethal dose of morphine to his mother, Dr Pat Davison, to relieve her pain when she was dying of cancer at the age of 85. Last week, a South African High Court judge ruled that a doctor could legally help Read more
Terminally ill lawyer Lecretia Seales has reached a confidentiality agreement with the attorney-general over part of her evidence in her case to clarify the law on assisted dying. Three “interveners” – two interest groups and the Human Rights Commission – have been allowed to take part in the case, and their role was further defined after a hearing Read more
A terminally-ill Wellington lawyer trying to clarify the law on assisted dying has accepted a judge’s ruling to allow interest groups to join her court case. Lecretia Seales, 42, was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2011 but with her health deteriorating, she petitioned the High Court in Wellington to uphold her right Read more
In recent weeks a statement of claim has been filed in the High Court seeking a ruling to determine whether a GP can lawfully administer a lethal dose of drugs to a person who is terminally ill. Our bioethics agency, the Nathaniel Centre, is a member of the Care Alliance, which is an alliance of Read more
Christchurch man Ken Joblin, who has been blind since birth, said a euthanasia law would make people with disabilities feel less valued. “For people like me, who live with disability, there are times in our lives when we’re not feeling all that great, and if it is for extended periods of time we would be Read more
The architect of voluntary euthanasia legislation in Holland is touring New Zealand saying if life is a gift from God then it may be returned by the owner. Dr Rob Jonquiere has spoken at several gatherings in New Zealand over the past two weeks. He was brought here by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Read more
The Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Zealand president Jack Havill, says an Auckland University study published in December showed 82 per cent support for legalising physician-assisted dying. “Unfortunately, even with over 80 per cent of New Zealanders wanting legalisation, politicians still sit on their hands, agonising and arguing about much less important issues.” Read More
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster has pleaded with Catholics to engage with politics ahead of the United Kingdom’s general election on May 7. The England and Wales bishops have produced a four page letter which asks Catholics to consider some fundamental ethical questions before they vote. The letter is to be distributed in parishes this Read more
A bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been dropped by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway at the request of his leader Andrew Little. Mr Lees-Galloway had been canvassing support for his End of Life Choice Bill before deciding whether to return it to the private members’ bill ballot. But Mr Little confirmed yesterday that he Read more