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AMA Upholds Stance Against Assisted Suicide!

Excellent news from the AMA!

Catholic Medical Association Applauds AMA for Upholding Opposition to Assisted Suicide

PHILADELPHIA, PA– June 12, 2019 – The Catholic Medical Association applauds the American Medical Association (AMA) for upholding the dignity of life and remaining opposed to Assisted Suicide.

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Help Stop Surrogacy!

From Suzanne Stack, Life Issues Coordinator of the Diocese of Rochester

In an interview last week, Governor Cuomo prioritized legalization of surrogacy contracts for passage before the end of the session (scheduled for June 19!). Attached is the NYS Catholic Conference Memo of Opposition on this, which highlights the harm of surrogacy to the women who are impregnated and the children born of such contracts.  Commercial surrogacy has been banned in almost all of the European Union, and more recently in India, Nepal, and Cambodia due to the exploitation of poor and vulnerable women. It has also been banned in New York since 1992 when Governor Mario Cuomo signed the ban into law.  Now his son is pushing to inexplicably reverse that law.

Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo is new to Albany as she was elected to former Assemblyman Joe Morelle’s district last November. Her position on commercial surrogacy is unknown, and there are some fiercely pro-choice women in the Assembly Democratic conference who have loudly voiced their concerns on this. They are undoubtedly trying to win her over.  We urgently need to let Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo know that plenty of concerned voters in Rochester oppose commercial surrogacy as exploitive of and dangerous to women and children (Jamie is the proud mother of a young boy). Callers from anywhere in the Rochester area are helpful.  This is especially urgent for those who live in Assemblywoman Romeo’s district: Brighton, Irondequoit, Charlotte and western parts of the city as well eastern parts of the city. https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jamie-Romeo/map/

Please call Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo’s Albany office right away: 518-455-5373

Here’s a sample script of what to say:

“I’m calling as a concerned doctor/nurse/etc to oppose commercial surrogacy. 

It exploits vulnerable women, who will be enticed to rent out their wombs and put their health at considerable risk.

It also exploits children, treating them as products to be manufactured and sold.

Lifting New York’s ban on commercial surrogacy will lead to grave human rights violations.”

Thank you for standing up for the inherent value and dignity of women and children!

You may not get to say all of this, so emphasize that commercial surrogacy exploits women, or exploits women and children. It will be helpful if you can also share health concerns. If you would like to share more on health concerns, please send an email as well as calling.  You can personalize the email message at the NYS Catholic Conference Action Center. https://www.nyscatholic.org/nys-catholic-conference-action-center/

Thank you for standing up for the inherent value and dignity of women and children!

Suzanne Stack

Life Issues Coordinator

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester

1150 Buffalo Rd

Rochester, NY 14624-1823

585-328-3210 x1304

suzanne.stack@dor.org

www.dor.org

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President’s Update – June 2018

I am happy to report on the tremendous success of our first ever Conference, which took place last month. The Conference, jointly sponsored by all the Guilds of Western New York, was focused on multiple issues affecting all those who practice the art of medicine while trying to adhere to Catholic principles. Over 100 attendees
were enriched by the insights of our speakers, Father McTeigue, Wesley Smith and Drs. Anne Nolte and Thomas Carroll. We are grateful for their insights regarding conscience protection, spiritual concerns, women’s fertility and end of life care.

The evaluations by those in attendance were uniformly positive. There are no other local organizations, besides our Guilds, positioned to address the many moral issues our Society faces regarding protection of the dignity of each and every human being by our health care delivery system. The audience appreciated our efforts to promote the infinite value of the human person, in contrast to a modern culture that seems to march to a steady drumbeat of the exaltation of personal autonomy and relativism.

We would be remiss if we did not express our sincere appreciation for the support and guidance of our Bishops. His Excellency, Salvatore Matano, Bishop of Rochester, celebrated the White Mass to a full crowd following the Conference. Knowing our mission is centered on the absolute Truth, Way and Life of Jesus Christ gives us hope and strength. Our Bishops remind us of our vision of imitating Jesus Christ in our personal and professional lives.

Mario Dickerson, MTS, Executive Director of the Catholic Medical Association, was invited to address us concerning the mission of the CMA. The growth of the CMA has been extraordinary over the recent past. The organization is positioned to address our concerns on a national level and support the growth of the regional Guilds.

The Finger Lakes Guild is committed to supporting all members of the Health Care community seeking to adhere to Catholic values. This recent Conference was evidence of that commitment. Please keep us in your prayers and be sure to include any future events on your calendars.