Quick Path to Judgement

The state of Washington has a new law in effect today, March 5, 2009. It is now the second state in the US to legalize suicide with the other being Oregon. According to the Washington State Catholic Conference:

Under the Washington law, healthcare providers are not required to participate in assisted suicide. Many physicians and pharmacists are choosing to “opt out”, and not write or fill prescriptions. Many healthcare facilities are also “opting out” and will not allow assisted suicide on their premises.

What does the Church say about Euthanasia? From the CCC:

Euthanasia

2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgement into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of 'over-zealous' treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable. Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.

In 2007, the state of Washington reported 24,735 abortions. It seems to me that Washington's notoriety as a rainy state would remind all Christians of other images of water. The Great Flood. The cleansing water of Baptism. The lavabo. Tears. The water flowing from Christ's side.