By Julie A. Miller
Catholic Herald

Conference looks at end-of-life issues

LADYSMITH -- The third annual Respect Life Conference sponsored by the diocesan Respect Life Office drew a crowd of nearly 60 people. The day-long event was held April 7 in Ladysmith.

In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss talked about Pope John Paul II's emphasis on regenerating a culture of life to get rid of the culture of death. He noted the pope's use of the word "regenerate," because the culture of life is not something that must be created new. It's always been there, Fliss said, adding, "Human life is a gift from God. We are stewards of life."

The first speaker, Susanna Herro, spoke about end-of-life issues from a Catholic Church perspective. Herro, an attorney in private practice in Madison, is president of the board of directors of Wisconsin Right to Life.

She began with a history of euthanasia ("good death"). The modern euthanasia movement began in 1870. Proponents said it was the duty of the sick man to consider the feelings of others and to die rather than make other people watch him suffer. Some saw it as freeing society of a useless burden. The "right to die" quickly becomes the "duty to die" and the "right to kill," Herro said.

According to Herro, the Hemlock Society has targeted Wisconsin in its efforts to get assisted suicide legislation passed. In addition, she said, Rep. Frank Boyle of Superior continues to propose assisted suicide legislation and she urged compassion and concern to try to change his mind.

Herro said that opposing euthanasia does not mean people must fight death at any cost and all available care does not have to be applied. The benefit of treatment must be weighed against its burden to the patient in deciding whether to continue.

Another issue Herro raised is "intentionality" and "double effect." Herro said that if the motive for using a particular dose of a drug is to relieve pain and it is for the good of the patient, it's OK even if it suppresses breathing.

Herro said,"Death is not the ultimate evil in our faith. ... If we believe in resurrection, it is not to be fought at all costs."

The second speaker was Barbara Ellen Scott, who talked about hospice programs. Scott, a registered nurse, is chaplain at Ministry Health Care's Sacred Heart-St. Mary's Hospitals in Rhinelander and Tomahawk and chaplain and spiritual coordinator for their hospice program.

Scott said, "At the end of (life) we know a secret, that death is not the end of it." Death is a second birth. In hospice care, people lovingly act as midwives helping people into eternal life, she said.

Scott dispelled some myths about hospice. Scott said, "It is not about you dying. It's about how you can live this life fully and how can we help you with that."

Hospice is not a place, Scott said, although there are some hospice houses. The care is family and friends oriented and aimed at caring for the person in his or her home or in a homelike setting.

Hospice care is not expensive. The services are covered by Medicare and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Hospice care is not euthanasia. "It neither hastens or prolongs death. It lets nature take its course," Scott said.

The philosophy of hospice is to treat the body, mind and spirit, Scott said. The amount of pain management and symptom control is determined by the patient. Each person decides how to balance taking medications for pain versus remaining alert, she said.

A panel of four additional speakers followed Scott's presentation. Mary Holmes, co-director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, talked about Project Rachel, a program that helps men and women heal from the pain of abortion. Abstinence educator, Tricia Duhaime, discussed the need for abstinence education to help teens make the right choice. Dan Pilon, who is a Wisconsin Right to Life board member, gave the participants some advice on encouraging pro-life work in parishes and working with other pro-life groups. Rachel Niebauer, president of the state Teens for Life, discussed medical research using stem cells from aborted fetuses. She also talked about the RU-486 abortion pill.

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