The following article contains mentions of suicide. Reader discretion advised.
It does not make sense for New York to consider legalizing assisted suicide while it simultaneously works to prevent suicides in its communities, Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote in a May 29 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal.
He detailed how he was once driving on the George Washington Bridge when the traffic came to a sudden halt; drivers at first were angry at the disruption, until they realized that a man was considering jumping off the bridge.
“Everyone’s mood changed in an instant,” Cardinal Dolan wrote. “Instead of being impatient, angry, in a rush, we prayed for that man and the rescue workers trying to coax him back to safety. We all rallied on behalf of a troubled man intent on suicide.”
This is the normal response to when someone is considering suicide, the archbishop of New York explained, adding that there are many local public resources to help prevent suicides, such as school-age prevention programs with the Archdiocese of New York, and collaboration between NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and religious leaders to address the suicide epidemic of officers.
“Our state spends millions on anti-suicide efforts,” Cardinal Dolan continued, noting that Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has spearheaded unprecedented investment in mental health resources.
“Which is why I am more than puzzled, I am stunned, when I read that New York lawmakers are on the verge of legalizing suicide — not by leaping from a bridge but via a poison cocktail easily provided by physicians and pharmacists,” he wrote.
In April, New York’s State Assembly voted 81-67 in favor of legalizing assisted suicide, advancing the bill to the state Senate.
Cardinal Dolan decried the state’s disparity in responses, noting that on one hand it “will marshal all its resources to save the life of one hopeless and despondent man” — and on the other, “it may conclude that some lives aren’t worth living — perhaps due to a serious illness or disability — and we will hand those despondent women and men a proverbial loaded gun and tell them to have at it.”
Noting particularly weak spots in the legislation, Cardinal Dolan wrote that the bill does not require a psychological exam before the lethal drugs are offered. Further, supporters have argued that assisted suicide is only for those who are diagnosed with six months or less to live, but the cardinal also pointed out that “many controllable illnesses can become terminal if untreated.” He added that other places that have legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide, such as Canada, have since stripped away initial safeguards and widened the scope of the deadly practice.
Cardinal Dolan said he is praying that New York’s political leaders will ultimately reject the bill.
“The prospects of defeating the bill look bleak, and it’s tempting to give into hopelessness. But those brave first responders on the bridge didn’t give in; they worked together to stop a tragedy,” he concluded. “Will state senators or Ms. Hochul step up to protect precious human life? That is my prayer.”