CHALLENGING CURRENT AND ONGOING POLICY CHANGES TO PRACTITIONER RIGHTS
Statement of Support
February 15, 2018- MaterCare International (MCI) supports challenges and objections to the many national and global policy changes that are attempting to erode the practitioner’s human right to practice according to their consciences and those which violate the doctor/patient relationship. Among these are; the recent Ontario Divisional Court Ruling to uphold a policy that requires physicians to act against their religion and conscience; the current plans of the World Medical Association (WMA) to introduce two policy measures to facilitate worldwide abortion and euthanasia by curtailing doctors’ conscientious objection; and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) Professional Obligations and Human Rights policy requiring physicians and surgeons to make referrals when their consciences will not allow them to perform a procedure or treatment. These policies require challenging, and the supportive statements from national and international groups will enable physicians to have courage in their moral and ethical convictions.
As medical organizations, we must represent them as a community of practitioners and supporters who uphold the dignity of human life, because these practitioners simply will not legally, especially in Canada, be able to continue in their professions and practice their faith. Ultimately, it will be patient care, the understaffed hospitals and clinics, and those who most need medical care who will suffer.
MCI wishes to join the voices of the following organizations who have issued official statements in support of conscience rights and protecting the covenant relationship between doctor and patient:
Jan 31, 2018- Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) “Divisional Court Accepts Religious and Conscientious Infringement on Ontario Doctors”
Jan 31, 2018- Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada (CMDS) “Statement on Court Ruling January 31, 2018”
Feb 9, 2018- World Federation of the Catholic Medical Association (FIAMC) “President Lee to World Medical Association”
We ask others, and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, to do the same and support these organizations and the physicians they represent.
Dr. Robert Walley
Executive Director, MaterCare International (MCI)
MaterCare International
8 Riverview Avenue
St John’s, NL A1C 2S5
Canada
Telephone: (709)579-6472
Toll Free:(888) 579 – 6472
Fax: (709)579-6501
Email: info@matercare.org
