From The Bishop

Last Friday (Mar 06, 2015) the Ontario College of Physicians approved a policy (21-3 vote) that clearly undermines the supremacy of conscience. The new Professional Obligations and Human Rights Policy states that physicians must provide their patients with an effective referral to another health care provider if they are not able to provide services for reasons of conscience or religion. The requirement for “effective referral” is what undermines conscience as it involves the possible collaboration in an immoral act. This is especially true regarding abortion and assisted suicide. The act also states that physicians will be compelled to act against their conscience or religious beliefs to prevent imminent harm to a patient. Again, an ambiguous statement “imminent harm” can be used to force a doctor to perform an immoral act. This is but another example of what Pope Benedict XVI has called the “Dictatorship of Relativism”. There are many examples of this as we look at our current situation in the province of Ontario and in the world. As Pope Francis has stated on numerous occasions, we are involved in spiritual warfare. The evil forces are working hard to undermine what is good, true, and beautiful. We must be steadfast in our prayer and wise in our actions. At this moment we stand with our Catholic doctors and all physicians who may in the future be punished for simply following their conscience. St. Thomas More is the model of a man who defended his conscience even to the point of death. In the famous play “A Man for all Seasons”, by Robert Bolt, there is a scene where Thomas’ friend, The Duke of Norfolk, comes to him in the Tower of London. He tries to convince Thomas to sign the Act of Supremacy which names Henry VIII the head of the Church in England. He tries to compel Thomas to sign for “friendship sake”. St. Thomas More responds, “And when we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me for fellowship?” Good St. Thomas More pray for us.