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According to the Leadership Philosophy of the Brothers of Charity, people in positions of leadership, within their affiliated organisations, should be "bearers of Christian values" and "witness to the message contained in the Gospel."
And, their Mission Statement says: "...we want to improve the quality of life and contribute to a more humane society where there is room for both the poor and the feeble."
Therefore, it is really unbelievable how much the Provincialate of the Brothers of Charity now contradicts its own foundation, by giving a lethal injection to some of their "feeble" patients in the future, instead of loving care.
For these reasons, and, also, because it diminishes Catholic and Christian healthcare everywhere, this decision, by the Order of the Brothers of Charity, to administer euthanasia in the future must be vigourously opposed!
Thank you for signing this urgent petition!
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On 24th April, devastating news emerged that the psychiatric institutions of the Brothers of Charity would allow euthanasia in the future. This decision completely contradicts the existing policy which has guided these institutions till now, on the basis of their Christian identity.
Though this is taking place in Belgium, if this decision is allowed to stand, the damage done to the life-affirming reputation of Catholic and Christian healthcare - all around the world - will be substantial.
This petition to the Board of the Provincialate of the Brothers of Charity, therefore, simply asks them to adhere to the "ethically responsible and Christian" principles declared in their own documents which outline the ethos they support.
Thank you for signing this important petition, here:
According to the mission of the Brothers of Charity, they are charged with "creating, in the community, beacons of hope and testifying to God's love", and so, in this way, "improve the quality of life and contribute to a more humane society where there is room for both the poor and the feeble."
But, this intended policy change:
1) Goes against the spirit of the Gospel and that of Peter Joseph Triest, the deeply faithful and devout founder of the congregation of the Brothers of Charity;
2) Is not in accordance with the presumed Christian motivation of their directors, nor with a faithful and loving understanding of what this inspiration actually means in practice;
3) Instead of improving the quality of life, by creating beacons of hope and being a witness to God's love, rather, proclaims that death is a "just solution" for the weak and feeble (i.e., in this case, people who have mental illness).
Please oppose this policy change, as bad for the patients cared for by the Brothers of Charity, and as bad for Catholic and Christian healthcare:
http://www.citizengo.org/en/lf/70642-say-no-euthanasia-psychiatric-institutions-run-brothers-charity
Psychiatric patients generally are not, themselves, able - and, in any case, should not be allowed or tacitly encouraged (by making euthansia available) -- to make balanced decisions about such a grave matters as taking their own lives, or actively being killed by a "doctor".
That the Board of the Brothers of Charity has come to its decision in an "ethically responsible and Christian manner" can, thus, be ruled out.
Please sign this petition, which seeks to protect mentally vulnerable patients. Thank you!
The Head of the Order in Rome, and the Vatican, have indicated their intention to fight this decision. And, eventually, the local Provincialate must decide on such decisions taken within the Order.
Therefore, this petition encourages the Order of the Brothers of Charity to revisit their decision and issue revised policies which are consistent with their own foundation, mission and guiding principles.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Schittl and the whole team at Citizengo
PS - It is sad to think that the life-affirming ethos of the Brothers of Charity could be swept away by this decision - which is definitely not in keeping with the beliefs of those who, for many decades, worked tirelessly for the good of the patients in their care. Please ask the Order to rescind this decision with immediate effect. Thank you!
PPS - Wherever you live, you may sign this petition - as such decisions could conceivably affect Catholic and Christian healthcare worldwide.
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