Editorial

Last year I paid my first visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Although I anticipated seeing the exhibits on the extermination of the Jews, I had not expected to view the graphic exhibits on the "mercy killing" of children and adults considered medically "defective."

The Nazis justified murder in the name of euthanasia - "mercy death" - and enlisted hundreds of asylum directors, pediatricians, psychiatrists, family doctors, and nurses in this campaign. They aimed to kill people they considered "undesirables," those they regarded as burdens on national resources.

Frightening exhibit. This exhibit frightened me. It was hard to look at the pictures of babies and children born with birth defects. More than 5,000 boys and girls were killed from 1939 to 1945 by midwives and physicians in Germany. Three physicians evaluated each case and, usually without seeing the child, selected those to be killed.

Later, the Nazis moved on to target adults. These were people they termed "incurable," both from physical and mental illnesses. An estimated 200,000 adults were killed in various euthanasia programs from 1939 to 1945.

Modern efforts. While I walked through this exhibit, I wondered if we have learned anything from history, witness recent efforts to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

So far, Oregon is the only state which legalizes assisted suicide. A study there revealed that most people who ask their doctor about assisted suicide are depressed or fearful of pain. If properly counseled and treated, 90 percent choose to continue living.

An assisted suicide bill was resoundingly defeated in Vermont on March 21. On the other side of the country, the California state legislature is considering a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Opponents are concerned that sick people may be pressured to choose assisted suicide.

"Despite attempts at safeguards, there is no way to prevent an individual with inadequate health coverage from being pressured and coerced to choose physician-assisted death," said Molly Israel, a nurse, multiple sclerosis patient, and California Disability Alliance member. As a hospice nurse, she believes "the best comfort, palliative care, and pain management is giving the patient true death with dignity."

Wisconsin plans. In Wisconsin, Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Representative Frank Boyle (D-Superior) are again planning to introduce legislation to legalize physician-assisted suicide in our state. Both Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Right to Life oppose this legislation.

"In an age of soaring healthcare costs and cutbacks, how much longer until the 'right to die' becomes the 'duty to die'?' asked Matt Sande of Pro-Life Wisconsin. "The great state of Wisconsin can do better than assisted suicide."

There are many reasons to oppose any efforts to legalize euthanasia or mercy killing. An excellent resource is the Web site of the Nightingale Alliance at www.NightingaleAlliance.org

Catholic teaching emphasizes the right to life of all persons, no matter their age or medical condition. We should have learned lessons from the terrible Nazi eugenics program. Let's oppose any efforts to legalize assisted suicide in our state.

Mary C. Uhler

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Knights appreciate award

To the editor:

On behalf of State Deputy Robert Abb and the Wisconsin State Council of the Knights of Columbus I wish to extend our sincere and humble appreciation to our very dear bishop, the Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, and to Susanna Herro of the Diocesan Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach for honoring us with the Diocese of Madison First Annual Respect Life Award at the dinner Tuesday evening, March 13. It is a beautiful award and will be treasured for many years to come.

To be chosen from among the many dedicated "Culture of Life" workers who were present that evening, and the wonderful heroes they and their fine organizations represent, is indeed very humbling. That we were even considered at all is a testament to our dear bishop's good will toward us and toward all, for when he honors the least of his workers, he honors all.

This award is also a testament to the many Wisconsin knights who have for years labored for life and for Vocations to the Priesthood throughout our diocese and the entire state. My brother knights are truly salt and light for the earth and words alone do not adequately express the gratitude they do not expect, yet so richly deserve. Thank you, my brothers.

I mention and capitalize Vocations to the Priesthood because it cannot be overstated that our work for life can accomplish nothing if not built upon the solid rock of our sacramental faith. We are very grateful to Bishop Morlino and Msgr. James Bartylla for strengthening that rock from which we work and to all priests and seminarians of our diocese.

Ronald Faust, State of Wisconsin
Knights of Columbus, Respect for Life coordinator

Hope better than efficiency

To the editor:

To no one's surprise, the Planning Commission has recommended closing or "merging" many parishes of our diocese. The priest shortage is a temporary problem, as our growing number of seminarians attests, but a drastic and permanent remedy has been proposed. Shutting down parishes would certainly let priests distribute the sacraments in an efficient, factory-like way; from a merely human perspective nothing could be more practical.

But efficiency is not a virtue; hope is. Let's not throw away our heritage and scatter our living parish communities out of despair! Instead, let's tighten our belts and get through the next decade or two until we have enough priests again.

I urge everyone to pray long and hard for our bishop and the committees advising him, that they may have the courage and hope to protect our parishes from mergers. Pray novenas and vigils; take this intention to Adoration. In faithful obedience, let us defend our parishes against the spirit of despair.

Anders Hendrickson, Madison