domingo, 7 de mayo de 2017

BioEdge: Head of Belgian order explains shock move on euthanasia | BioEdge | Saturday, May 6, 2017 |

BioEdge: Head of Belgian order explains shock move on euthanasia

| BioEdge | Saturday, May 6, 2017 |



Head of Belgian order explains shock move on euthanasia
     
Brother René Stockman   
Brother René Stockman is the superior general of the Brothers of Charity, a “congregation” of the Catholic Church which cares for the poor and the needy. Although residing in Rome in recent years, he has been one of the leading voices in Belgium opposing legalised euthanasia.

This week the Belgian region, where the congregation started in the 19th Century, announced the startling news that its hospitals would offer euthanasia to non-terminally-ill psychiatric patients who request it. This was big news in the Belgian media because the Brothers are major player in Belgium’s healthcare system, with 15 psychiatric hospitals and a number of other projects.

Brother Stockman was interviewed by email about this break with Catholic opposition to euthanasia.

********
Is it certain that euthanasia will be offered in the hospitals of the Brothers of Charity? Or is there a possibility of reversing the decision?

Brother René Stockman: For the moment are we working on several levels: first we informed the whole congregation that as general superior we cannot accept this decision, because it is going totally against our charism of the charity. Secondly, we informed the Belgian Bishops conference about the situation and I am in contact with the president, Cardinal De Kesel. Also the Nuncio is informed. Thirdly, we informed the Vatican and all the information has been given to the Secretariat of State. In the meantime we continue to offer our clear arguments why we can never accept euthanasia.

Is this a world-first as the official position of a Catholic institution?

No, we know that in Belgium there are individual psychiatric centers where euthanasia is done, but the fact that a group with 15 psychiatric centers and with a so-called authority in the field of mental health care is doing that in a formal way is unique.

What proportion of places for the mentally ill are run by the Brothers in Belgium and in Flanders?

As said, we have in Belgium 15 psychiatric hospitals (13 in Flanders and 2 in Wallonia), with 5,000 patients.

The refusal of the Brothers to allow euthanasia in their institutions has been described by critics as a major obstacle to the growth of euthanasia. So will this change in policy, if it goes ahead, have a big impact on psychiatric care in Belgium?

Yes, of course. All those who were against us are now singing that finally the group of the Brothers of Charity capitulated and came into their camp.

You must feel that this is a tragedy. Can it be justified within a Christian framework?

Not at all; it is a real tragedy.

What has happened up to now if someone requested euthanasia in one of your hospitals? Did it happen often?

When someone asked for euthanasia, the question was taken seriously; everything was done to help the patient to change his vision of things. If all our efforts could not change the situation and finally, because of the legislation in Belgium the request of euthanasia was positively answered, we arranged that the patient should be transferred to another place, outside our hospitals. This transfer was done with respect, but always convinced that a signal was given to society that inside our institutes no euthanasia was possible. This was very important.

As a background to this decision, has much outside pressure been applied to the nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals run by the Brothers?

In reality, only a few brothers are still involved in the government of the organization, so the majority are lay-people. Yes, there was a lot of pressure, but pressure doesn’t mean that we have to capitulate.

You are well-known as a firm opponent of euthanasia and the superior-general of your congregation. How could institutions in the Belgian province take a different direction? Have the lay people on the board overruled the two brothers who participate?

I said it above. Indeed, the presence of the brothers is not nearly sufficient, but also secularization is also poisoning the congregation in Belgium.

Pope Francis has often expressed his opposition to euthanasia. Will he take action on this matter?

I have put it in the hands of the Vatican and of course in the hands of the Lord.

This interview has been republished from MercatorNet.
Bioedge

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Euthanasia is such a controversial topic that it is dividing healthcare professionals and organisations. In Canada, some doctors are vigorously protesting moves to make effective referral for euthanasia mandatory. And in Belgium, a Catholic religious order seems to have split over whether its psychiatric hospitals should offer euthanasia for non-terminally-ill patients. Below we feature interviews with the main players in this drama: Brother Rene Stockman, the Rome-based head of the order who is fighting a change of policy, and Raf De Rycke, who helped to shape the new policy. 



Michael Cook
Editor
BioEdge

NEWS THIS WEEK
 
by Xavier Symons | May 06, 2017
Two Detroit-based Muslim doctors have been charged with carrying out female genital mutilation.
 
by Xavier Symons | May 06, 2017
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine are strengthening their conflict of interest policy.
 
by Xavier Symons | May 06, 2017
Journalists allege that women are being pressuring into exchanging eggs for free IVF treatment.
 
by Michael Cook | May 06, 2017
The visionary Silicon Valley entrepreneur's new company is underway
 
by Michael Cook | May 06, 2017
Swiss researchers warn of exploitation and loss of privacy
 
by Michael Cook | May 06, 2017
Government to opt for de-institutionalisation
 
by Michael Cook | May 06, 2017
Against the consensus, a cardiologist says they should
IN DEPTH THIS WEEK
 
by Raf De Rycke | May 06, 2017
The inviolability of life is no longer an absolute value
 
by Rene Stockman | May 06, 2017
Brother Rene Stockman is devastated by news that Catholic psychiatric hospitals will offer euthanasia
BioEdge
Suite 12A, Level 2 | 5 George St | North Strathfield NSW 2137 | Australia
Phone: +61 2 8005 8605
Mobile: 0422-691-615
New Media Foundation | Level 2, 5 George St | North Strathfield NSW 2137 | AUSTRALIA | +61 2 8005 8605 

BioEdge: Head of Belgian order explains shock move on euthanasia

No hay comentarios: