Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Despite our best efforts of calling on our legislators, visiting Springfield and offering constant prayer, a bill which legalizes medically assisted suicide, Senate Bill 1950, passed in the wee hours of the morning today.
This bill will now go to the Governor’s desk. I ask you to contact the governor and insist that he veto this affront to the sanctity and dignity of human life.
Assisted suicide violates the gift of human life and undermines the value of each human person, particularly those who are vulnerable.
If Illinois becomes the 12th state in our nation to legalize assisted suicide, vulnerable individuals, including those with rare conditions needing specialized treatment, will be offered lethal drugs instead of the care they need. The consequence is that there will be pressure on the suffering, the poor, the disabled, and others on the margins to end their lives rather than receive support.
There are many loving alternatives to assisted suicide including increased care for the poor, supporting and promoting programs and care for mental health, increased access to affordable health care and support and access to palliative and hospice services. These means combine the best of medical care with respect for the dignity of those who are suffering or close to death.
Illinois does not need to legalize assisted suicide. Our state and its people need to support the programs which offer help for the root causes of catastrophic sickness and those in mental
health crisis.
Please continue to pray for respect for the dignity of human life, especially for those who seek our love, support and help as their lives draw to a close.
