Comments on: Vows

By: Pete Cowley

Pete Cowley — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 05:23:58 +0000

I can assure you Matt, St Andrew’s on the Terrace, Wellington, threw any such leaflets away whenever they were found in the church. I know of other churches whose people also have brains and are prepared to use them. These churches are called ‘Progressive’ and even ‘Radical or Heretical’! I think I’d rather enjoy being called a heretic – challenging the old ideas of the past ages and being a thorn in the side of the establishment – making them uncomfortable and forcing them to address issues they don’t want to! slow going but it is happening bit by bit1

I and very many others in St Andrew’s, support personal autonomy in the area of voluntary Euthanasia just as we did for Civil Unions and Marriage Equality and many others before that.

Our feeling is if one doesn’t want an assisted death then don’t ask for it. Others who do want it, and qualify and are not being ‘coerced’, should be able to have it!
It is such a shame that conservative Christians seem to speak as if they are the only Christian voice – they are NOT.

Interestingly, Lord Rix in the UK, who was very against VE and represented disabled groups whom he thought vulnerable to being pushed off the edge somehow, did a complete u-turn when he developed terminal cancer and he could see a painful and/or ignoble end coming over which he had no control. I suspect many conservative Christians opposed to VE may well end up in the same boat when faced with a potentially very bad death of their own. I really feel they have not thought it through properly especially as palliative care is not an answer where one has total control. We may be able to choose our stuffed toy, but somehow that does not seem to be any consolation to still being denied our autonomy.

Peter Cowley, Wellington

By: Lecretia's Choice

Lecretia's Choice — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 04:48:42 +0000

In reply to David Barber. I disagree, David. They're good people, just wrong about this.

By: David Barber

David Barber — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 04:38:15 +0000

They are despicable people who pose as so-called Christians

By: P D Lethbridge

P D Lethbridge — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 03:12:24 +0000

Your sad experience, Matt, explains why there were so many pathetic and silly submissions exhorting the committee not to interfere with the dying process, even if there is unbearable pain, along the lines of ‘It is god’s job and we are not to interfere. It is all part of his plan. He knows what he is doing’. The ruthless campaign of misinformation is calculated and cruel.
Thank you for your devotion to changing the law to allow the one suffering to make their own decision when they have had enough of life. How arrogant to presume people cannot make their own choice.

By: Maryan Street

Maryan Street — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 02:33:30 +0000

A good thing to share Matt – however painful.

By: Katrina Thomas

Katrina Thomas — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 02:28:20 +0000

That’s heartbreaking. I’m so sorry your beautiful memories were sullied in that way. You have rolled with the punches so far Matt; here is yet another test for you. Don’t stop sharing – a problem shared is hopefully one minimised, if not halved. You know by now how much support is out there for you.

By: Mel Morris

Mel Morris — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 08:22:02 +0000

Sad to read this Matt. What others think of us is none of our business – we can’t take it personally.

By: Jenny Hercock

Jenny Hercock — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 05:00:48 +0000

Matt,
What an awesome description in the most beautiful writing. It’s like your dreams started there and were then destroyed by ghastly illness; just the worst and the church was not there to support you. I wonder what it would have been like if you weren’t the person you are with your amazing strength of character and drive to make some good come out of Lecretia’s short life. If you had gone back to the church where you were married, for support, believing as you do and Lecretia did in assisted dying for the terminally ill. How would they have reacted when faced with a real situation?
I feel that when we are involved in a church, we have to believe in the doctrine that is part of that belief depending on the “religion”, man made. If you go outside of that with your own beliefs, christian ( in the wide sense) and right that they are, in the belief that we should not suffer in death, the “church” does not accept the idea that we could be part of our own dying.
I will always be so grateful that you and Lecretia have made me feel and think so deeply about this but eternally sad for your wonderful story. As Damian said, it doesn’t have a happy ending. Of course we know that. Oh, how he always states the obvious. Can’t help but love having him as part of my family, though.
Take care, Matt, wherever life takes you from now on. We will never forget Lecretia and never forget how much you loved her and how much you fought in her name to make our world a better place. No matter where you are, kia kaha.
Jennyxx

By: Lala Brown

Lala Brown — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 04:19:02 +0000

That must have been truly awful for you Matt. Ive often wondered how churches drum up support for their causes. I know for a fact that they encourage the faithful to sign form submissions to parliament and i wonder how much of the small print the parishioner reads.
These people are also not informed that their name will be published online. It is the chuches responsibility to inform them of the correct process.
Keep up tbe good work