Cardinal George Alencherry New law shortens euthanasia wait time
New legislation in Oregon shortens an initial waiting period for some persons seeking assisted suicide, allowing them to receive quicker access to life-ending drugs.
Governor Kate Brown signed the bill into law on July 23. It had passed the Senate in May and the House of Representatives in June.
If the terminally ill patient has fewer than 15 days to live, the legislation will bypass a 15-day delay required under the Death with Dignity Act. The waiting period usually takes place between the first verbal request and second written request for assisted suicide.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on medically assisted dying in 2011. It stated that palliative care is better suited for the dignity of the human person.
Female foeticide suspected in Indian region
A northern Indian district has launched an investigation into a region in which the birth rate of baby girls is in dramatic decline. Government data has revealed that among 216 babies born across 132 villages in the last three months, not even one of them was a girl.
The district administration of the Uttarkashi region has announced that it will form a task force to examine the reason why no girls have been born in the region.
The region’s district magistrate, Ashish Chauhan, told reporters that the matter is “suspicious, and has highlighted female foeticide”.
Priests protest Indian cardinal’s return
Catholic priests are reportedly protesting Pope Francis’ reinstatement of a cardinal who is facing allegations of financial mismanagement, and has been previously accused of failing to respond to reports of misconduct from a nun who claims to have been raped.
Cardinal George Alencherry heads the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in union with Rome and one of the two main Eastern Churches in India.
Cardinal Alencherry has been accused of involvement in dubious land deals dating back to 2015. He reportedly bypassed Church law requiring consultations before a land sale that resulted in heavy financial losses for the Church.
Mexican bishops criticise migrant policy failings
The Mexican bishops reaffirmed last week its concern over the lack of a humanitarian reception for migrants, whose dignity has been violated, and exchanged for “a plate of lentils”.
The bishops’ conference criticised Mexico’s lack of migration policies in a July 23 statement, saying that as a result, the country has submitted to the policies and impositions of the United States, “accepting the incoherency of tying business interests to the right and need to migrate, seeking a better life”.
“Sadly we can see that this dignity as persons and children of God is being violated, since it has been ‘exchanged for a plate of lentils’”, they lamented.
Revenge Porn criminilised in New York
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill criminalising revenge pornography – the distribution of sexual or nude images without the subject’s consent.
Cuomo signed the bill into law on last week. It will go into effect in 60 days.
“Our laws have not kept pace with technology and how abusers can use it to harass, intimidate and humiliate intimate partners,” he said after the bill’s signing, the Hill reported.
“By criminalising the publication of revenge porn, we are empowering victims of this heinous act to take action against their abusers and showing them a path to justice.”
Convictions may result in one year of jail time, and victims may seek additional civil recourse.