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1 February 2006
COLF COMMENT ON THE DECISION IN
THE CASE OF
MARIELLE HOULE
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) would like
to express its appreciation of the precautions taken by Justice Maurice
Laramée in his decision in the Houle case on January 27, 2006. Marielle
Houle pleaded guilty to assisting in the suicide of her son, Charles
Fariala.
On the one hand, while sentencing the retired nurse to only
three years of probation, Justice Laramée took care to indicate that his
decision should not be viewed as precedent.
On the other hand, while insisting on the uniqueness of the
Houle case and on the poor health of the accused, Justice Laramée
recalled that “the present state of the law in Canada is that to help or
encourage suicide is unacceptable and illegal.” The immoral nature of such
an act is also clear, since all life possesses intrinsic value and sacredness
that no illness can diminish.
There may be little doubt about Charles Fariala’s mental
suffering and about Marielle Houle’s love for her son. In order to
understand what happened, one must consider Marielle Houle’s state of
health and “the intense and intimate bond that she had with her only
son.” She still claims today that she acted out of compassion and
unconditional love.
This claim should prompt us to reflect. Faced with a person who
asks for death in a moment of depression, loneliness and fear, love and
compassion require instead that we assist the person, that we lend support to
the person in his or her suffering with an attentive presence, full of human
warmth. Justice Laramée also emphasized that Charles Fariala did not
receive the support that he had a right to expect from his mother and from
society.
This tragic case clearly illustrates that the close relatives of
the seriously sick who may consider suicide also need the support of the state
and of other members of society. We must seriously think about the support and
the care that should be made available to the most vulnerable citizens in
Canada.
The death of Charles Fariala shows us why it is necessary to
have laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide. Without such laws, even the
depressed and most vulnerable among us would be at risk of being killed by
those who love them but whose judgment can be clouded by their own emotional
state.
Faced with the pain, vulnerability and despair of another, true
love and compassion demand that we accompany that person in a spirit of
solidarity by helping him or her to recognize the continual worth and dignity
of their struggle and their life.
- The Catholic Organization for Life and Family is
co-sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and by the Supreme
Council of the Knights of Columbus.
For more information:
Michèle Boulva
Director
Catholic Organization for Life and Family
Tel: (613) 241-9461, Ext. 141
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