Canadian bishops mark 10 years of MAID, voicing concern over expansion and urging prayer, compassion, and support for vulnerable people.
Newsroom (12/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) A decade after Canada legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide under federal law, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a renewed appeal urging opposition to what is formally known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), while calling for prayer, compassion, and strengthened care for those most vulnerable.
In a formal statement approved by its Permanent Council, the CCCB’s Standing Committee for Family and Life marked the 10th anniversary of Bill C-14 — legislation that received Royal Assent on June 17, 2016. The law permits eligible adults, under specific conditions, to seek medical assistance in ending their lives.
Describing the anniversary as “sobering,” the bishops called on Catholics and “all people of goodwill” to voice concern about the continued presence and expansion of MAID across Canada. They also emphasized the importance of remaining “steadfast” in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, while encouraging prayer for what they described as a “conversion of hearts and minds” away from the practice.
Growing Numbers and Expanding Criteria
The bishops’ statement highlights the rapid growth of MAID since its legalization. According to figures cited, MAID deaths now account for 5.1 percent of all deaths in Canada in 2024, totaling 16,499 individuals in a single year. Since 2016, an estimated 100,000 Canadians have died through euthanasia or assisted suicide.
The committee expressed particular concern about legislative developments that have widened eligibility. Initially, MAID was restricted to individuals whose natural death was considered “reasonably foreseeable,” accompanied by what lawmakers described as safeguards. However, amendments introduced in 2021 significantly broadened access to include individuals with conditions deemed “grievous and irremediable,” even when death is not imminent.
The bishops argue that such expansions increase the number of Canadians potentially at risk, raising ethical questions about the direction of end-of-life care in the country.
A Call to Compassionate Care
Central to the bishops’ message is a pastoral emphasis on accompaniment over what they see as abandonment. Drawing on Christian teaching, the statement calls on the faithful to be present to those who suffer — including the sick, elderly, disabled, and those facing mental illness or end-of-life conditions.
“True compassion does not answer suffering with death,” the statement asserts. Instead, it promotes a model of care grounded in presence, hope, and practical support, including palliative care and pain management.
The committee also advocates for “proportionate treatment options” that neither unnecessarily prolong life nor intentionally hasten death, presenting this as a balanced ethical approach aligned with Catholic teaching.
Affirming Human Dignity
At the heart of the bishops’ position is the belief in the inherent dignity and value of every human life. The statement stresses that life, even in circumstances of severe illness or dependence, retains its capacity for meaning, communion, and grace.
The bishops characterize euthanasia and assisted suicide as actions that intentionally cause or hasten death, describing them as fundamentally incompatible with respect for human dignity and the role of God as the “Creator and Lord of life.”
This theological framework underpins their continued rejection of MAID, regardless of motive or circumstance.
Remembering the Dead, Supporting the Living
The anniversary statement also takes a moment to acknowledge those who have died through MAID and the loved ones they leave behind. It notes that many families continue to grapple with grief, confusion, regret, or unresolved questions.
In addition, the bishops turn attention to those still living with suffering or vulnerability — including individuals facing isolation, fear, or despair. They call for the Church to become a “healing community,” one that offers tangible support and reflects a commitment to solidarity with those in need.
Recognizing Grassroots Efforts
The CCCB commended the work carried out by dioceses, parishes, healthcare professionals, families, and volunteers over the past decade. These groups, the statement notes, have worked to promote what it describes as “Christian hope” while resisting MAID through compassionate care and advocacy.
Their efforts, according to the bishops, demonstrate that defending life is not solely a matter of doctrine, but also one of daily action — including visiting the sick, supporting caregivers, and ensuring no individual feels alone in suffering.
A Continued Call to Prayer
The statement concludes with a renewed appeal for prayer — for those who are ill, those nearing the end of life, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It also calls for prayer directed toward fostering a cultural shift that affirms life as a gift and rejects abandonment of the vulnerable.
Included in the document is a prayer invoking God as a source of strength and comfort, asking for peace and healing for those who suffer and for a vision rooted in hope and enduring love.
As Canada reflects on ten years of legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide, the bishops’ message signals an ongoing and deeply rooted ethical and spiritual debate — one that continues to shape discussions around healthcare, dignity, and the meaning of compassion in the face of human suffering.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CCCB
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