In the Catholic tradition, end-of-life care is guided by compassion, respect for human dignity, and a deep commitment to the inherent value of every human life. The Archdiocese of Brisbane supports a “care first” approach, which prioritises palliative care services over the implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation.
Palliative care, which provides relief from pain and suffering while accompanying the dying, is seen as the truly compassionate response to the end-of-life journey. As Archbishop Mark Coleridge reminds us, “Better end-of-life care begins with better conversations about death and dying and how we can die well in ways that do not undermine the foundational values of our society.”
The Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation passed in Queensland in 2021. The Catholic Church remains committed to advocating for palliative care as a holistic approach to end-of-life care, ensuring that no one is left to face death alone or without proper care.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge urges us to have open, honest discussions about death, dying, and how we can accompany each other to the end with dignity and love. These conversations are essential to improving end-of-life care and ensuring that our society remains compassionate and grounded in respect for human life.
Resources
Below you will find resources to better understand the Church’s stance on palliative care and opposition to VAD.
Download A Pastoral Letter to the People, Clergy, and Religious of Queensland.
In 2020 the Bishops of Queensland published this pastoral letter to encourage a compassionate approach to end-of-life care, ensuring that the elderly, the young, and the vulnerable are not cast aside in a “throw-away culture.” This letter echoes Pope Francis’ call to accompany every person on their journey to death with love and dignity.
Download For the Common Good – Love is Stronger than Death.
Written by Archbishop Mark Coleridge in 2019, this document explains Catholic teachings on end-of-life care and questions what kind of society we wish to live in. It addresses the Church’s belief that prolonging life at all costs is not the goal, but that dying with dignity and love is.
Download Facts You May Not Know About Palliative Care.
This 2019 fact sheet examines the delivery of palliative care in Queensland and other regions, emphasising the importance of funding a “palliative care first” approach as the most compassionate and effective way to relieve pain and suffering.
Download When Life is Ending – Discussing Dying, Assisted Suicide, and Euthanasia.
Authored by Dr. Caroline Ong RSM, a medical doctor and Sister of Mercy, this document published in 2019 takes a pastoral approach to the sensitive issues of death and dying, offering guidance from both medical and spiritual perspectives.
This full submission by the Catholic Bishops of Queensland in 2019 takes a long-term view of how society should care for the vulnerable, advocating for solutions that truly serve the common good.