Catholic Exchange

Debating Assisted Suicide

Recently, I appeared on the local PBS radio and television affiliate (KPBS) to discuss a new assisted suicide bill that has been introduced in the California legislature.

Although the station representatives weren’t initially aware of it, both I and the gentleman taking the opposing view were widowers who lost our wives to cancer.

They were surprised and supportive when this turned out to be the case, and it helped balance the discussion since we both had very moving personal stories.

We first did a 15-minute radio debate, which can be listened to through a specialized audio player at this link:

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/jan/21/brittany-maynard-family-pushing-california-right-d/

Look for the “KBPS Midday Edition” player, about half way down the page (just under the YouTube video, though personally I haven’t been able to get the audio player to work).

They also had us discuss the subject on their “KPBS Evening Edition” television program, the video for which is here:

This was the first time that I met John La Grange, and we had very cordial discussions off the air. I gave him my condolences for his loss, and I told him that I would be praying for him and his late wife, which he appreciated. I’d ask others to do so as well. Thank you in advance!

Comments

One response to “Debating Assisted Suicide”

  1. Viki63 Avatar
    Viki63

    I was able to watch the TV show. Jimmy made very cogent, concise arguments for the Catholic viewpoint, although I am not sure they will be appreciated by those who aren’t Christian.
    The truth is that only our maker has the right to choose when our lives end, And it’s true that vulnerable people will be at risk; I have personally seen this, Doctors take the initiative to end lives more often than people realize, both to reduce suffering of both the patient and family, and to reduce costs. I believe this is mistaken compassion.
    And Jimmy is right that we need to maintain the role of physicians as healers. I don’t want a doctor who has another agenda, maybe to reduce the burden of the terminally ill on society. We need to focus more on relieving pain, improving hospice for the dying.

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