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CHAC Statement for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Catholic health community acknowledges the past and present impacts of colonialism in Canada. We remain committed to building relationships with Indigenous Peoples that contribute to justice, healing, and reconciliation and ensuring culturally safe places for authentic healing and restoration, mutual understanding and trust.

To read the full statement, click here.

Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) is an alliance of the 14 sponsors/owners representing 124 Catholic health institutions throughout Canada. For more information about CHAC, visit www.chac.ca

CHAC extends deepest condolences to families and communities who are grieving after Kamloops Discovery

The Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) is profoundly saddened by the disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the lands of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and they extend their deepest condolences to the families and communities who are grieving this terrible loss.

“As we work together across this land to foster the full disclosure of the truths of oppression and
colonialism, Catholic health care is committed to being a healing presence on the journey of Truth &
Reconciliation. We recognize that there is still much work to do by the Catholic Church and Catholic
health care.”

To read the full statement, click here.

Archbishop Miller offers support, apology after Kamloops discovery

Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller today announced a plan to offer increased supports and transparency to First Nations people in the wake of the discovery of an unmarked burial site near a former residential school in Kamloops. Read his most recent statement below or click here to learn more.

Archbishop Miller’s recent statement
May 28, 2021

“I am filled with deep sadness at the troubling news about the 215 children found buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The pain that such news causes reminds us of our ongoing need to bring to light every tragic situation that occurred in residential schools run by the Church. The passage of time does not erase the suffering that touches the Indigenous communities affected, and we pledge to do whatever we can to heal that suffering.”

CCCB releases message to the Faithful on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

On April 8, 2021, the Catholic Bishops of Canada released a message on the expansion of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.

“We urge you, as men and women of faith, not to lose heart. As Bishops, we will accompany you in prayer and vigilant advocacy against a “culture of death” which continues to erode the dignity of human life in our country. We would find it unacceptable if healthcare professionals who oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide were ever to be coerced to participate in acts which their conscience finds morally wrong. The direct killing of a person may never be considered a duty. Likewise, we are categorically opposed to allowing euthanasia and assisted suicide to take place in institutions that bear the name of Catholic.”

Read the CCCB’s full message here.

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week

In 2021, National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW) will take place April 18-24.

NOTDAW raises awareness about the critical need for more donors across the country and encourages Canadians to register their decision and to talk to their loved ones about organ donation.

Approximately 4,400 Canadians await a lifesaving organ transplant. Each year hundreds of Canadians die waiting. 90 per cent of Canadians say they support organ donation, yet only 32 per cent have registered their decision. Become an organ and tissue donor today! Register here.

“To donate one’s organs is an act of love …” – Pope Benedict XVI

CHAC releases statement re: Bill C-7

On March 17, Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) released a statement on Bill C-7.

Catholic health organizations do not provide medical assistance in dying (“MAiD”) because it is not in keeping with our fundamental values, ethical guidelines, mission, and religious purpose. Bill C-7 does not change this position, and in fact calls us to be more diligent about the obligation of Catholic health care to serve vulnerable populations and to address issues of systemic inequalities particularly at the end of life. Read the full statement here.

Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) is an alliance of the 14 sponsors/owners representing 124 Catholic health institutions throughout Canada. For more information about CHAC, visit www.chac.ca

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Reject euthanasia for mental illness and incompetent people

Sign the Petition!

Legalizing euthanasia gives medical professionals the right in law to lethally inject their patients, but permitting euthanasia for mental illness and through advanced directives directly contradicts the need for effective consent.

We the signed oppose Bill C-7 and demand that parliament reject euthanasia for mental illness and incompetent people. Sign the petition here.

Patients being offered euthanasia contrary to Fraser Health policy, B.C. Catholic investigation finds

An investigation by The B.C. Catholic has found that patients in the Fraser Health Authority have been offered death by euthanasia without requesting it, contrary to the health authority’s safeguard policy of requiring patients to raise the issue of assisted suicide. Read more here.

CCCB Message – They Still Bring Forth Fruit in Old Age: A Lesson on Caring in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great suffering and enormous difficulties for many people who are already vulnerable. This is a cause for great alarm and concern for us as Catholic Bishops, and for the Catholic faithful of our country. The pandemic has inflicted unique difficulties and exceptional hardships on many, especially those in long-term institutional care, single-parent families, the unemployed, migrant farm workers, the homeless, Indigenous communities, those who are imprisoned, and many who were already experiencing different illnesses of body and mind.

Click the link below to read the full message by the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on July 1 2020

Message on caring amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Lonely heart patients more likely to die within year of leaving hospital

“Patients hospitalized for heart problems may be at greater risk of dying within a year of discharge when they live alone or feel lonely, a Danish study suggests.”

The CHABC has a focus on providing training to parishes who are willing to start up a pastoral visitation program that helps to alleviate the loneliness described in the linked article. As pastoral visitors, parishioners can have an incredible impact on alleviating loneliness and improving the quality of life of those who are alone and due to circumstances, are not able to get out and socialize, meet friends and develop relationships, which many of us take for granted as part of our everyday lives. Loneliness is one of the most prevalent reasons that people request physician assisted suicide. We all have the ability to give the gift of companionship and to make a difference in the lives of another.

Click the link to read the article and then ask if there is anything you can do at your parish to help those in need.

Read more at National Post

Researchers are working on a pill for loneliness, as studies suggest the condition is worse than obesity

“For some, the idea is just another sign of the creeping medicalization of everyday human woes: Is it really the best we can do to fix the loneliness ‘epidemic’?”

Read More at National Post