Moira's Blog

Palliative Care and the Human Connection: Ten Steps for What To Say and Do

2015-07-07T11:33:00.001-04:00

Useful and sensitive information for talking with families

Palliative Care Medical Education in European Universities

2015-07-07T11:26:00.001-04:00

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Interesting parallels with updated changes in length of training in Canada

2015-02-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

Freedom to Care: The Threat to Conscience Rights in Medicine

2015-02-05T21:52:00.001-05:00

SO IMPORTANT!!!

CPSO and its draft policy on conscience rights / referral

2015-02-05T21:43:00.003-05:00

What a flurry of activity about responses to CPSO and its moves towards restricting doctors' conscience rights. No wonder so many physicians are up in arms: these rights are a necessary safeguard against being made to perform actions that they consider to be wrong. Their rights have to be taken into consideration as well as those of patients. Balancing rights is a tricky business, but balance is what is needed. An imposition on conscience rights will only make matters worse!

Massive Flash Mob performed for Pope Francis

2013-08-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

Massive Flash Mob performed for Pope Francis

So happy and joyous - another side of Catholic faith. Watch for priests and Bishops joining in!

Every Woman Every Child

2013-04-12T14:13:00.001-04:00

Every Woman Every Child

Please watch this video re life saving commodities: health, clean water, food, hygiene: all the things we take for granted.

These measures taken and advocated for by the UN and its Commissions are so necessary at so many levels.

I disagree with their policies on birth control, although of course see the need for more education in these areas re responsible parenthood, along with education in Natural Family Planning. I don't see why the latter should not be included in any program.

That doesn't detract from the good work that is being done to SAVE life through these measures, as opposed to PREVENTING or ABORTING life. There's always a bit of a contradiction in such policies, but surely people like myself can foster the truly life-giving values espoused here?

2013 Report on health - Canadians face decade of sickness in later years - Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

2013-02-08T09:46:00.001-05:00

CCBI is very interested in the social determinants of health - one of the many topics we follow and review. This report is of concern to all seniors, not just "Boomers," and of perhaps even graver concern to the generations following. If 'Boomers' are careless with their attitudes to health, should the next generation be expected to pay for that neglect? Just a thought - but one that should be important these days when we talk about social justice aspects of ethics, such as 'stewardship.' It cannot be right to be irresponsible about our own health, as well as that of others.

2013 Report on health - Canadians face decade of sickness in later years - Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

ZENIT - Papal Address to Orthodox-Catholic Commission

2013-01-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

Important words from Benedict XVI, towards fuller appreciation of each other's theological richness.

ZENIT - Papal Address to Orthodox-Catholic Commission

End-of-life care gains increasing prominence : Hospitalist News

2013-01-25T10:47:00.001-05:00

There is so much concern among people over end-of-life issues, and that is not surprising, since there are so many factors to take into account. Making decisions for other people who are not able to do that for themselves is perhaps even more difficult than making them for ourselves.

In CCBI's "For People in the Pews" program we cover these issues from a Catholic perspective. Our Church has some very helpful guidelines which provide some structure for making decisions.

These days there are many groups that urge us to have "The Conversation," meaning discussions about our end-of-life issues. This is not easy to do for some of us, but the more we see the point in doing so, the more likely we are to get on with it!

Here is a helpful article to consider:

End-of-life care gains increasing prominence : Hospitalist News

Christ's beauty overcomes evil, archbishop says at Aurora theater :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2013-01-22T11:55:00.001-05:00

When we pray for all the people killed in this incident, we must remain convinced of Christ's triumph over sin, and try to emulate that, for His sake and for that of our neighbours.
Christ's beauty overcomes evil, archbishop says at Aurora theater :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Time magazine says pro-life advocates are winning :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2013-01-22T11:49:00.001-05:00

The article says that consistent pro-life strategies are gaining ground, and that more people are beginning to look at abortion in a way consistent with preserving life.

Time magazine says pro-life advocates are winning :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Graham Spiers: Man of faith left in an impossible position - News - Scotsman.com

2012-08-22T10:29:00.001-04:00

Spirited defence of Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Edinburgh...by an opponent!!
Would that all debates were conducted like this:-

Graham Spiers: Man of faith left in an impossible position - News - Scotsman.com

Inside World Report: Watch Online

2012-06-23T18:18:00.001-04:00

Inside World Report: Watch Online

Richard Landau and I discuss Physician-assisted Suicide and the BC verdict in the Taylor case.
We also discuss the European debt crisis, although it is clearly difficult to understand the complexities.
It isn't only bioethics that are difficult!

Health Edition Online - Article

2012-06-22T15:11:00.001-04:00

Health Edition Online - Article

Canadian Nurses Association's Blueprint for Health Care.

Their voices need to be heard!

ZENIT - Pope Benedict: Human Life Must Always Be Defended

2012-06-22T14:59:00.001-04:00

ZENIT - Pope Benedict: Human Life Must Always Be Defended

Vatican Calliing for Free Access to Treatment for HIV/AIDS

2012-06-22T08:19:00.001-04:00

From the Vatican Information Service (VIS)

CARDINAL BERTONE CALLS FOR FREE AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR HIV/AIDS

Vatican City, 22 June 2012 (VIS) - This morning Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. delivered the opening address at the eighth International AIDS Conference, being held at the San Gallicano Institute in Rome under the title: "Long live mothers and children".
In his remarks the cardinal noted that maternal mortality in Africa is, to a large extent, associated with AIDS. "We can no longer tolerate the death of so many mothers", he said. "We cannot think of thousands of children as a lost generation. Nothing is lost; Africa has sufficient resources; it is the continent of hope. Thus we need to make a joint effort ... to protect women in their role as mothers".
"The Church, which is present in countries where the pandemic exists, is extremely concerned at this tragedy of our times. It is a tragedy which swallows many human lives, weakens entire societies, burns up the future. We must do more. The more the infection spreads among women, who are the mainstay of families and communities, the greater the risk of social breakdown in many countries. The sickness of women, of children, of men, becomes the sickness of a whole society".
The Cardinal then recalled how thirty per cent of HIV/AIDS treatment centres in the world are Catholic. Church activities in this field, he said, include "awareness raising campaigns; prevention and health education programmes; support for orphans; distribution of medicines and food; home help; hospitals, centres and communities for the assistance of AIDS sufferers; collaboration with governments; assistance in jails; catechism courses; help systems over the internet, and the creation of support groups for the sick".
"I would", the secretary of State said, "like to make an appeal to the international community, to States and to donors: let us ensure that AIDS sufferers are given prompt, free and effective treatment. Access to treatment should be universal. Let us do this beginning with mothers and children. Here, in the name of the Holy Father, I speak for so many suffering voices, for so many sick people who have no voice: let us not waste time, but invest in the necessary resources. ... Studies by the World Health Organisation confirm that ... universal access to treatment is possible, scientifically proven and economically viable. It is not a utopia, it is possible. ... Yet we cannot conceive of universal access to treatment without taking account of the weakness - especially the economic weakness - of the majority of African people. What is needed is free access to treatment".

AUDIENCES

BioEdge: IVF linked to risk of birth defects and heart disease

2012-04-23T07:56:00.001-04:00

BioEdge: IVF linked to risk of birth defects and heart disease

Yet another article pointing out long term problems for children born through IVF.

People thinking about using these procedures need to know as much as possible before giving their consent.

UN women's commission rejects expansion of 'reproductive rights' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2012-04-05T10:32:00.001-04:00

See the important comments by the Holy See and by representatives of other countries re rejecting the expansion of women's reproductive rights, which would include abortifacient drugs and so on:

UN women's commission rejects expansion of 'reproductive rights' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Inside World Report: Watch Online

2012-04-03T09:46:00.001-04:00

I have been fortunate enough to be invited to speak on some CTS programmes, not only about bioethics, but about other aspects of morality. I am grateful to the producers there for including Catholic voices, and admire their ministry in the public square

Inside World Report: Watch Online

Ethicists give thumbs-up to infanticide

2012-02-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

Ethicists give thumbs-up to infanticide

Two more ethicists join Peter Singer in claiming that, it abortion is acceptable, why not infanticide?

Indeed, in terms of those who hold an abortion - accepting mindset, their claim is not absurd.

BUT, in terms of being against the taking of life at any stage, their claim should give us further pause for pressing for the issue of abortion to be constantly at the forefront of our demands for justice in society. Infanticide? It is difficult to imagine most people accepting that practice, but stranger claims have distorted our moral thinking before. Also, if euthanasia is ever legalized, there will be even less support for the inviolability of human life.

The Guardian, Britain’s liberal newspaper, has warm praise for the Catholic Church. The subject? Death | CatholicHerald.co.uk

2012-02-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

The Guardian, Britain’s liberal newspaper, has warm praise for the Catholic Church. The subject? Death | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Of course we know how to talk about death! We know how to talk about the beginning of life, too, and why there are problems with reproductive technology, and so on.
Catholic teaching is so all-encompassing because so much effort and concern goes into formulating it. Not only that - it's free!

Beautifully written article by Fr. Lucie-Smith.

2012-02-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

Two important items today re freedom of conscience and freedom of religion:

1. Cardinal Dolan's letter to the US Senate urging the members to pass a Bill to protect conscience. In light of the anger that HHS has roused through attempting to impose mandatory contraceptive provision to every employee requesting such from every employer, the Catholic Church is doing its job of objecting to doing something it considers wrong, and is demanding protection of conscience, as is its constitutional right. Way to go!!

2. A Washington court just struck down a law mandating the sale of emergency contraceptives by pharmacists who cannot comply for reasons of conscience. Let's hope this decision gathers momentum!

The Complexities Involved In End Of Life Care

2012-02-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

The Complexities Involved In End Of Life Care

Recognition that palliative care involves spiritual and emotional comfort in preserving the dignity of the person in his or her last days.

In conversation: Thomas Collins - The Interview - Macleans.ca

2012-02-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

In conversation: Thomas Collins - The Interview - Macleans.ca

Balanced - wise - prolife in the best way - media friendly: Toronto's new Cardinal!