Respect Life Ministry
Assisted Suicide (AS)

Sadly, the push to legalize assisted suicide in Maryland is ramping up again even as examples of individuals being pressured toward assisted suicide continue to surface in other regions. The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) opposes Assisted Suicide (AS) because it seeks to legalize the intentional taking of human life. Legalized assisted suicide is dangerous, and it will pass into law unless our legislators hear from their constituents and understand why they should oppose the bill. 

​Please attend the 2024 Advocacy Day (click here to download a flyer with all the details) to meet with your legislators and express your opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide. We will have form letters to sign or to handwrite and make your own; transportation to the legislative houses; and guides in these buildings helping you with directions. If you cannot attend in person, please call your Senator / Delegate and ask them to “Vote No” on PAS legislation. Some points about this bill to remember:

1. It will corrupt the medical establishment by co-opting the services of doctors, psychiatrists, pharmacists, hospice nurses, and medical examiners. These medical professionals have sworn an oath to do no harm.

2. PAS plays into the notion that once we are no longer able to “do all the things normal people do,” or that we feel we are a burden, our life is not worthwhile.

3. In every state and country where, initially, assisted suicide was reserved for the terminally ill, it has always been expanded, targeting the poor, mentally ill and the elderly. When assisted suicide becomes an option, explicit and implicit pressure is placed on these individuals to take that option to choose to end their lives prematurely.

4. Suicide is contagious; legalizing PAS increases overall suicide rates by 6%.