A pastoral letter on voluntary assisted dying

17 June, 2019

The following letter from the Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General, Diocese of Sale and Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Sale has been sent to the schools of the Diocese. 

Dear Colleague

Re: Voluntary Assisted Dying  

You may be aware that on Wednesday 19 June 2019 the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Act (2017) comes into effect. What is being referred to as ‘VAD’ is a combination of what in plain-speaking is more commonly known as physician assisted suicide and euthanasia.

A pastoral letter has been issued jointly by the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Bishops of Ballarat, Sandhurst and Sale.

The pastoral letter is accompanied by the document We Care which reminds us that, “Just as the early Christians were, we too, are called to accompany and care for those who are suffering”. We Care provides ways in which those who conscientiously object to this law can accompany people who suffer. 

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General, Diocese of Sale

Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Sale

Read the pastoral letter on voluntary assisted dying and the We Care document.