News - August 2019 RSS Feed

Recently, I contacted the sponsors and co-sponsors of some proposed legislation here in New Jersey to express my concerns about its negative impact upon the Catholic Church and other religious entities. Click on the Title to read the full statement.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. asks, "How many people have to die from unspeakable violence until our legislators act on gun control legislation?" Twenty-five years ago the U.S. Bishops wrote, "Our families are torn by violence. Our communities are destroyed by violence. Our faith is tested by violence. We have an obligation to respond. Read the full statement HERE

On August 1, 2019, the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act” becomes law. The law permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live. Cardinal Joseph Tobin has issued a statement on the sacredness of all human life and accompanying those that are suffering. Read the full statement HERE.

As Assisted Suicide legislation becomes law in New Jersey, Bishop David O'Connell, C.M. issued a reflection. “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act,” which permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live, became law on August 1, 2019. Read the full statement HERE.

Bishop James Checchio has issued a letter regarding the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act” becoming law. The law permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live. Read the entire letter HERE.

While the NJCC opposed New Jersey’s aid in dying legislation, the Catholic Church always has provided and discussed palliative and hospice care options to our patients and their families.   Through palliative and hospice care, the tools to alleviate pain and to bring physical, psychological and spiritual comfort to terminally ill patients are available more today than ever before.  As a society, we need to increase our efforts to inform both the medical community and the general public about the wonderful advances in palliative and hospice care.