Your congregation + physician-assisted suicide
At the beginning of 2021, I shared how each MN South District congregation may become a Faith Community Partner with the MN Alliance for Ethical Healthcare. This is an opportunity to exercise love of your neighbor by playing an active, public role in preventing the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Minnesota. The Minnesota South District is already an Alliance Partner—but now congregations also have an opportunity to get involved directly.
Because your congregation may not have engaged at this level before, we thought an explanatory video would be helpful. We hope especially that pastors will watch it with their Board of Elders, Church Council, or other leadership groups.
Additional recommended resources
Explanatory video: Physician-assisted suicide and what congregations can do
The bills proposed in MN: “End-of-Life Option Act” SF 1352 / HF 1358
LCMS Life Ministry: Euthanasia articles, papers, etc.
MN Alliance for Ethical Healthcare
Counterpoint: Aid in dying is not the help ill Minnesotans need
Canada is plunging toward a human rights disaster for disabled people
British Doctors Order “Do Not Resuscitate” for Those with Mental Disabilities
It’s all about the money: Protect our most vulnerable citizens from assisted suicide
Conclusion
As I previously indicated, the pressure to cave to this latest assault on life and Christian belief is growing. Here, we have a simple act that each congregation can take to demonstrate the love of neighbor we were all called to in our baptism. I hope you’ll prayerfully consider discussing this topic in your congregation and becoming a Faith Community Partner with the MN Alliance for Ethical Healthcare.
In Christ,
Rev. Hinz
Rev. Fredric Hinz
LCMS Public Policy Advocate
Minnesota South and North Districts
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod