Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan | Archdiocese of New York

On Easter Monday, April 21, Pope Francis passed away, concluding his earthly life. The Pope left behind numerous lessons through his life, including an exemplification of a peaceful, natural death.

The subsequent day, reports emerged that the New York State Assembly intends to discuss legislation (A136/S138) that proposes the legalization of state-sanctioned suicide for terminally ill patients. Though called the Medical Aid in Dying Act, the bill raises concerns about potentially reversing the Hippocratic Oath's principle to "do no harm." There are fears it could lead to vulnerable individuals, such as those with disabilities, the elderly, and people from underprivileged communities, feeling pressured to end their lives to avoid being viewed as burdensome or financially impractical.

A reference is made to Canada's similar law enacted in 2016, which later expanded to include those with chronic illnesses and, by 2027, may cover individuals with mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

The timing of this legislative agenda has been criticized, particularly when New York faces pressing issues like affordability, crime, homelessness, and federal Medicaid cuts. Amidst these challenges, there is concern regarding the message conveyed by advocating for such a bill as the state grapples with a youth suicide crisis. The focus is on preventing suicide and affirming the value of life, prompting calls for reconsideration by lawmakers, alongside an appeal to Governor Hochul to veto the bill if it advances to her desk.

The statement includes signatories from various religious figures, including the Archbishop of New York and several bishops from different dioceses.