Euthanasia: Sad & Salutory

Salutory and sad reading. Sad because of lives ended and salutory because of the growing haste to end life by our own hand.

Can nobody see the abuse of the young, dementing, the struggling, people with disabilities, the elderly, the everybody!?

Article from The Daily Telegraph, London via The Age 14 January 2013:

Identical twins have been killed by Belgian doctors in a unique case under  the country’s euthanasia laws.

The 45-year-old brothers from the Antwerp region were born deaf and sought  euthanasia after finding that they would also soon go blind.

They were very happy. It was a relief to see the end of their  suffering.

They told doctors that they were unable to bear the thought of not being able  to see each other again.

The twins, who have not been named but have been pictured on Belgian  television, had spent their entire lives together, sharing a flat and working as  cobblers.

Belgium’s Het Laatste Nieuws newspaper reported at the weekend that  doctors at Brussels University Hospital in Jette “euthanised” the two men by  lethal injection on December 14.

Under Belgian law, euthanasia is allowed if those wishing to end their lives  are able to make their wishes clear and a doctor judges that they are suffering  unbearable pain.

David Dufour, the doctor who presided over the euthanasia, said the twins had  died together and had taken the decision in “full conscience”.

“They were very happy. It was a relief to see the end of their suffering,” he  said. “They had a cup of coffee in the hall, it went well and a rich  conversation. Then the separation from their parents and brother was very serene  and beautiful. At the last there was a little wave of their hands and then they  were gone.”

The case is unusual because neither of the men was terminally ill or  suffering extreme physical pain.

Just days after the twins were killed by doctors, Belgium’s ruling Socialists  tabled a legal amendment that will allow the euthanasia of children and  Alzheimer’s sufferers. The controversial change will allow minors and people  suffering from dementia to seek permission to die. “The idea is to update the  law to take better account of dramatic situations and extremely harrowing  cases,” said Thierry Giet, the Socialist leader.

If passed later this year, the law will allow euthanasia to be “extended to  minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or  suffering that we cannot alleviate“.

In 2002, Belgium was the second country in the world after Holland to  legalise euthanasia, but the law now applies only to people over 18. Some 1133  cases of euthanasia – mostly for terminal cancer – were recorded in 2011,  according to the last official figures.

Last December, the Belgium-based European Institute of Bioethics published a  report raising concerns about “the absence of any effective control” over  euthanasia and “ever-widening interpretation” of the law. It noted that in 10  years and 5500 euthanasia cases, not one had been referred to police for  investigation.

Article: ‘They were very happy’: Belgian twin brothers choose euthanasia rather than  blindness

Also, Euthanasia Law a blunt instrument.

16 Days with Jonah: Day 7

Jonah 2:1-9

1From inside the fish Jonah prayed to   the LORD his God.

2 He said: “In my distress I   called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the depths,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
4 I said, ‘I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.’
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6 To the roots of the mountains I sank   down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, LORD my God,
brought my life up from the pit.

 7 “When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.

8 “Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”

Inside a fish is perhaps the strangest place from which a person has ever prayed!

Jonah’s prayer recounts his dramatic descent deep in the realm of the dead and God’s bringing him to life from the pit when his life was ebbing away.

During my prayer pilgrimages around Tasmania in 2004 and 2010, I prayed from schools, prisons, parishes, hospitals, homes and mountains, but never from the belly of a fish!

It is true that certain circumstances in life seem to evoke a greater passion for prayer. Often intense times of prayer occur during sickness, unemployment, family breakdown, conflict – in other words, in times of distress.

I find it easy to ask God for things. Many an immature person wants, wants, wants, and wants! A sign of maturity is being thankful for life, even in all its turmoil, and asking where we might make a contribution.

I can learn from Jonah here. While Jonah sets out his plea to God under circumstances of his distress, nevertheless, he continues on to acknowledge God’s saving work in him. His shouts of grateful praise are accompanied by his vow to make good and his affirmation that Salvation comes from the LORD.

Listening God, I worship and adore you, ever grateful for your person and your world. Thank you that we can communicate, regardless of where I am or in what circumstances I find myself. I know that your people are a people at prayer. Help me, please, to be at prayer. Amen.

Bushfires: Bishop’s Pastoral Letter

Please find following my Pastoral Letter to Tasmanian Anglicans concerning the bushfires.

BISHOP’S PASTORAL LETTER – TASMANIAN BUSHFIRES    9 January 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Tasmania,

I write to you with a heavy heart. The bushfires which are bringing destruction to our beautiful State continue. In their wake are the tear-streaked faces of broken dreams and the charred ruins of hard-won homes, businesses, farms, shacks and community facilities.

Yet, amidst the tragedy of the bushfires the deep bonds of our humanity are being strengthened. I see generosity, empathy, goodwill, constructive attitudes and a heart to work together for the benefit of those suffering loss.

I am deeply grateful to the fire fighters, emergency services personnel and all those people who in so many ways are working together to support those who have suffered great loss.

As followers of Christ we are not immune to tragedy. Brothers and sisters in Christ in Tasmania have suffered severe loss in these bushfires. Yet, we do not lose heart. We walk on with heavy hearts and ash-smeared hands as we work and pray for the healing and recovery of our communities.

Our pastoral response is outlined in last Tuesday’s Media Release: ‘Anglican Church offers pastoral support to those affected by the bushfires’.

As Christians we confidently call upon God in the midst of trauma and pain because we know that God knows of our trauma and pain. “Immanuel: God with us” was the centre of our recent Christmas celebrations.

Our encounter with God in Christ is the key to our capacity to respond to suffering. The Tasmanian bushfires, coming so hard on Christmas, renew Christ’s call to “come follow me”.

Hold firm to Christ’s promise, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

As part of our Anglican response we have provided the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal to support those who have suffered loss via our parish based ministries (see below). Please consider supporting this appeal. Thank you.

Be constant in prayer for each other as we walk through the discipleship challenge of this time of suffering.

I include this Prayer in time of Bushfire adapted from the Anglican Church of Australia’s A Prayer Book for Australia, 1999, page 205.

All things look to you, O Lord,
to give them their food in due season:
look in mercy on your people,
and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened by fire.
Give protection and wisdom to fire fighters and other emergency service personnel.
Encourage our generosity to those who suffer loss.
In your mercy restore your creation and heal our land.
So guide and bless your people,
that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth
and give you thanks with grateful hearts,
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yours sincerely in Christ’s service,
Shalom
+John
John Harrower
Bishop of Tasmania

********************************

APPEAL DETAILS

We would be very grateful to receive financial donations, which are tax deductible. Funds will be distributed on the ground through local parishes affected by the fires to support those in real need.

You may donate by any of the following means:

1. Direct deposit into the bank account for Anglican Health and Welfare
BSB: 067-000
Account Number: 10720017
Reference: Bushfire (plus surname)
Please send an email to finance@anglicantas.org.au letting us know of your donation, including your name and address, so that a tax-deductible receipt can be sent to you.

2. Cheque made out to Anglican Health and Welfare and sent to GPO Box 748, Hobart TAS 7001. Be sure to include your name and address so that a tax-deductible receipt can be sent to you.

3. Cash donations at the Diocesan office, Level 1, Church House, 125 Macquarie Street, Hobart between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

4. Online credit card donations can be made through our Anglicare website: http://www.anglicare-tas.org.au/BeInvolved/Donate.aspx . Alternatively call Anglicare on 1800 243 232 to make a credit card donation by telephone. A receipt for tax deductible donations will be mailed out if the caller leaves their mailing address.

Bushfires: Media Release

Anglican Church offers pastoral support to those affected by the bushfires  Released 8 January 2013

The Anglican Church of Tasmania is offering pastoral support in community refuge centres in southern Tasmania for those affected by the bushfires.

In addition, church buildings are being used to further support the community in this time of need. The church building at Dunalley, which is intact, has been offered for use in the recovery effort.

Bishop of Tasmanian John Harrower said the Anglican Church has established the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal through Anglican Health and Welfare, a tax deductable fund, which would collect financial donations to assist people affected by the bushfires. Funds will be distributed on the ground through local parishes affected by the fires to support those in real need.

“Prayer is being made in our parishes and Cathedral Church for those affected by the bushfires and can be viewed on the Anglican Church of Tasmania’s website under ‘A Prayer in Time of Bushfire’,” Bishop Harrower said.

“In addition, Anglicare Tasmania is involved in the long term recovery process through its counselling and support services.

“St Michael’s Collegiate School has made its Boarding School available for people without accommodation and The Hutchins School is also working to assist.

“The Anglican Church of Tasmania expresses its deep sympathy and strong support for all those people and communities affected by the bushfires.

“We most sincerely thank fire fighters, emergency workers and volunteers from organisations across the state for their dedication, sheer hard work and sacrifice for the wellbeing of the suffering.”

 See also, Bushfires: Bishop’s Pastoral Letter.

Bushfires: ‘Reluctant Heroes’

Amazing story from yesterday’s Mercury newspaper and reported earlier from ABC TV’s 7.30 Report (at about 2 minutes in)

Reluctant heroes

Reluctant heroes

A DUNALLEY family has become the international face of the Tasmanian bushfire disaster with incredible photos showing them sheltering under a jetty as a firestorm obliterated their home. …

By yesterday afternoon, a popular news website reported 20 million hits on their story and media outlets from France, Ireland and Canada have picked it up.

The [Tim and Tammy] Holmes were looking after their five grandchildren aged between two and 11 last Friday while their daughter, Bonnie Walker, attended a funeral in Hobart.

“We knew it was going to be a hot day and we needed to be prepared for the possibility of fire, but there was no indication of what was to come until much later,” Mr Holmes told the Mercury yesterday.

Mrs Walker’s husband David, a chaplain at Dunalley Primary School which was also destroyed in the blaze was two days into a six-day bushwalking trip in the state’s remote far South-West.

The family’s amazing tale of survival came to light when a media helicopter offered to collect Mr Walker to reunite him with his family.

“We’ve always been a very close family,” Mr Holmes said.

“We knew David would be concerned if he found out about the fire in Dunalley from other walkers.

“There was a pathway between our houses and the children were with us as much as they were in their parents’ house.

“We’re alive, we’re together, we’re a family and not one hair on a child’s head has been lost.”

Standing in front of the rubble that was their house awaiting an insurance assessor yesterday, the couple said the family’s strong Christian faith and love for each other would see them embrace the challenges ahead.

“We saw the fire on the hill and I wasn’t going to waste time so I told Tammy to go the water with the children, I’ll talk to the fireman and I’ll see you there,” Mr Holmes said.

“Tammy told the children ‘we’re going down to the jetty.’

“We had a plan in the morning and we stuck to it. It was mid-afternoon, I had the firefighting pump going and at that moment the fire trucks flew up the drive and I said ‘great we’re saved’.

“Then I saw a tornado of flames hit and I thought ‘I’m going I need to be with the children.

“A second firebomb hit the paddock as I started running.”

Mrs Holmes had the children on the beach.

The couple was well aware they needed shelter from the smoke under the jetty.

“We were out about 50m from the shore. We had to stay close to the jetty to get air because the smoke was so intense,” Mr Holmes said. …

The Holmes say they never feared for their or the children’s lives in the face of an unimaginable threat.

“There was a beautiful sense of calm right throughout the entire experience. We prayed for our safety,” Mr Holmes said.

Full Mercury report, Reluctant Heroes. Also, Bushfires: Updates Tasman Area.

Bushfires: Parish of Hamilton

Revd Ellen Clark, priest in the Parish of Hamilton, reported in on the devastation there, particularly around Ellendale. She is yet to get access to some areas due to road closures but has had prayer with some at Ellendale. While there has been some property loss – with houses often being saved through water bombing – the trauma is still evident in those who have had a close call. The danger is current, Firie hurt in Derwent Valley.

Because the power is off in many places, food has spoiled and folk are travelling to New Norfolk for supplies.

Ellen reports that everyone is very tired, just watching and waiting, and concerned for family and friends out fighting the fires. Community response has been great, in supporting one another and supplying food for emergency workers.

The Parish members are looking forward to putting on a ‘Recovery Day’ later on, to thank all who have worked so tirelessly and to provide some fun for everyone else. Anglican Health & Welfare has already offered funding for the event, as well as immediate funds for emergency relief from the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal.

Please hold the Parish of Hamilton with Ellen and other members of the Local Ministry Support Team and their community in your prayers. If you can help with the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal, everything received will be used to meet real and pressing need. Thank you.

See, Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal and A Prayer in Time of Bushfire.

16 Days with Jonah: Day 6

Jonah 1:17

 17 Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Matthew 12:38-41

 38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.

God acts! God uses storms, sailors and a fish to save Jonah in order to save Nineveh. God does not give up on his reluctant servant. Through his servant’s salvation, God has the salvation of many people in mind.

While visiting the catacombs in Rome, I was struck by the symbol of Jonah and the fish on Christians’ graves. Do you recall Jesus’ reference to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish? When asked by the Pharisees and teachers of the law for a sign as to his own significance, Jesus answered, A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)

In Jesus’ understanding, Jonah is a sign pointing to Jesus’ resurrection.

If God is God, then resurrection life is real. In the words of Martin Luther, Let God be God. Enormous historical evidence points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this in turn points to God. Belief in God who is the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land (Jonah 1:9) leads to resurrection faith.

God of Life, in the power of your Holy Spirit may my life be a sign to all around me of Jesus’ resurrection life. Amen.

Bushfires: Updates Tasman area

One way that I am keeeping up with the devastating bushfires and responses to them is via information from Anglican ministers and parishioners. Mostly via emails and Facebook pages.

The Dunalley bushfires, and the surrounding areas (Forcett) still have fires burning. The Parish of Sorell, Richmond Tasman in which Dunally lies, is posting bushfire updates on their website at, https://sites.google.com/site/srtanglican/fire-jan-2013. Please check their website for ongoing information and prayer fuel.

I should note money from our Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal will assist people in this community. Please consider giving generously. Thank you.

Bushfire update from the Parish via Andrew McCoy:

We’re sad to report that some members of our parish have been dislocated by the Forcett fire, particularly associated with the destruction through Copping, Dunalley & Murdunna.  Please uphold all people from these communities and all who are affected by the fires. 
You can see parts of our journey in the sections below. We welcome your comments or questions via the contact-us page.

Windy Wednesday    posted 9 Jan 2013 05:14 by andrew mccoy
The change that came through yesterday afternoon has kept temperatures in the region quite low which reduces the overall threat of the fires.  This evening the wind has ‘got up’ again which will create anxiety in some, fear that the fires may come raging through again.  We’ve heard that the fire fighters have been putting in control lines and putting out spot fires.  They are magnificent.  Handwritten roadside signs of thanks to them have begun to spring up.
Kerry & Elaine from Copping Christian Fellowship (and part of the South East Christian Leaders Network) provided pastoral support at Dunalley today.  We’re sure that members of their congregation were delighted to see them today as the Anglican’s were to see Jill yesterday. And equally importantly they were able to support the welfare needs of any and all members of the community.  It’s really great to see evidence of the cross-denomination co-operation swing into action at this critical time, and for us to be working as one team.
Jill, Joel and members of the parish met this morning to pray for the needs of the area.  Joel then spent most of his day at the Sorell Recovery Centre, with support from other leaders of other churches.  Some of our parishioners and lay members of other churches have been active in the centre in various roles since last Friday and were again in evidence today.
We were delighted to hear today of a bus full of people from the affected areas being transported from their evacuation location to Nubeena to collect their cars and then join the outgoing convoy, enabling some to return home.  For others who remain in temporary accommodation regaining access to their cars offers them greater independence.
Plans are being made to ensure that the regularly scheduled communion service will go ahead at St Martins Dunalley and be led by Jill on Sunday at 11.00 am.  Everyone in the community is welcome.  Kristina, who also regularly leads services at St Martins, will be offering pastoral support in Dunalley tomorrow along with Joel.  We were delighted that Father Terry from the Catholic church has confirmed today that he will be leading the Dunalley pastoral response on Friday.
Please pray for all members of the christian leaders network as they share in pastoral support ministry across the affected area. Ask that we will find ways to communicate between ourselves the needs of the various people we talk to as we share this role.
We are thankful for the sensitivity of the police and government officials to the needs of the community, and particularly that their awareness extends includes the spiritual needs of the people.
Please pray for people who become anxious when the weather changes.
Give thanks for the spirit of co-operation that is so evident among the service providers working at the recovery centres.
Pray for sensitivity of all who work with affected people, that we will all be prepared to meet needs as and when they are expressed, that we won’t be task focused to the exclusion of the needs of the whole person.
We’re thankful too for the continued expressions of support coming to us, both from within the church and outside.

Earlier report, Bushfires: Parish of Sorell Richmond & Tasman. Also, A Prayer in Time of Bushfire.

16 Days with Jonah: Day 5

Jonah 1:11-16

 11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”

 12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

 13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.

Here we see Jonah in a good light. He is not all bad! Jonah offers to sacrifice himself in order to calm the sea and save the ship.

The sailors show themselves to be honourable. They try to avoid sacrificing Jonah by doing their best to row back to land. The sailors’ care for Jonah contrasts with his lack of care for the people of Nineveh.

However, the sea becomes even wilder and the sailors accept Jonah’s offer to throw him overboard. The storm is then calmed.

Now the sailors cry out, not each to his own god, but to the LORD. The sailors’ openness to God is greater than that of the prophet! They ask the LORD to pardon them for killing Jonah; they fear the LORD, offer sacrifice and make vows to him.

God has acted through Jonah to bring the sailors to acknowledge him. Despite the sailors not being in God’s initial mission for Jonah, God has used Jonah’s disobedience to carry out his rescue mission. Be careful. This is no excuse for disobedience! However, it does give us great confidence in the LORD’s providential work in the world – even through our mistakes and disobedience, the LORD is sovereign.

Pursuing God, I thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for pursuing us wherever we may be, at all times and in all circumstances. Please bring men and women, girls and boys, to become Jesus’ disciples. Thank you for finding me. Give me your heart for all people. Amen.

Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal

I have today distributed the following letter:

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am sorry to greet you in the New Year at this sad time of the tragic bushfires in Tasmania. However, I write in response to some of you who have contacted me regarding the possibility of financially supporting the parishes affected.

We have decided to provide an opportunity to contribute to relief for bushfire victims through the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal.

We would be very grateful to receive financial donations, which are tax deductible. Funds will be distributed on the ground through local parishes affected by the fires to support those in real need.

You may donate by any of the following means:

1) Direct deposit into the bank account for Anglican Health and Welfare
BSB: 067-000
Account Number: 10720017
Reference: Bushfire (plus surname)
Please send an email to finance@anglicantas.org.au letting us know of your donation, including your name and address, so that a tax-deductible receipt can be sent to you.

2) Cheque made out to Anglican Health and Welfare and sent to GPO Box 748, Hobart TAS 7001. Be sure to include your name and address so that a tax-deductible receipt can be sent to you.

3) Cash donations at the Diocesan office, Level 1, Church House, 125 Macquarie Street, Hobart between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

4) Online credit card donations can be made through our Anglicare website: http://www.anglicare-tas.org.au/BeInvolved/Donate.aspx . Alternatively call Anglicare on 1800 243 232 to make a credit card donation by telephone. A receipt for tax deductible donations will be mailed out if the caller leaves their mailing address.

Thanking you for your prayers and support in this sometimes tragic world.

Shalom
+John