The answer to loneliness, addiction and despair should not be death

Questions are asked openly about the future of the Church. It is said that it is in terminal decline.They have said this for centuries. Yet still it continues to grow. It was most unlikely, given the might of the Roman empire and the power relationships existing in the Holy Land at the time of Christ, that this man from a tiny village, who had lived and worked quietly for 30 years, should have been able, in the space of just three years, to found a global Church now comprising 1.39 billion Catholics and millions of other Christians.

People are talking openly of the possibility of World War III, of the necessity to enhance our defences and our military resources. The conflict in Ukraine and the situation between Hamas and Israel, with the significant involvement of Iran supporting Hamas, the engagement of the US, the UK and Europe in trying to find a way to peace whilst acknowledging the realities of what happened in Israel on October 7 and the consequential devastation of Gaza and much of the Palestinian territory, all result in a world which is much more vulnerable and threatened than before.

Peace

The strategic and military alliances which are developing across the world mean that the work of peace-making is even more important and the work of religious congregations in bringing the Gospel message of love, not violence, in supporting those living in conflict, in helping in the work of restoration and resettlement of the displaced, in working to assist refugees, whilst not facilitating human trafficking, is vitally important. Equally important is the work to care for the lonely the isolated, the young, the elderly, the newcomer, in Ireland.

Society in the UK and Ireland and in most of the west is increasingly secularised. Different norms are emerging rapidly – perhaps most starkly demonstrated in society’s attitude to and response to two vital moments – the moment of birth and the moment of death.

Once human life was seen as vital, to be cherished and respected to the extent that the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, states that “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth” and the more general human rights instruments proclaim the rights to life, freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, to family life and all the other protections which are necessary for human life, even that understanding is changing.

In Oregon over 35% of those who have died reported being motivated by being a perceived burden on family, friends and caregivers”

In Ireland 9,218 children were aborted in 2023, not including abortions carried out in hospitals. In England and Wales the abortion statistics for 2022 and 2023 have yet to be published, but between January and June 2022, 123,219 abortions had been carried out. One in four pregnancies globally now end in abortion.

In the context of the end of life the situation is equally grave. Assisted dying – either euthanasia, where a doctor or someone else intentionally terminates a person’s life using lethal drugs; or assisted suicide, which usually involves providing lethal drugs which people take to end their lives, has become available initially to those who were terminally ill in a number of countries. It has then been extended to those with a multiplicity of conditions most of which are not terminal, and could be treated.

In Oregon assisted suicide has been permitted for anorexia, diabetes, hernias and arthritis. In the Netherlands the already very wide criteria (including tinnitus) have been expanded to include babies under one year “born with such serious disorders that termination of life is regarded as the best option”. Children can request euthanasia from the age of 12, though they have to get the consent of their parents or guardians until they are 16, and parents must be “involved” until they are 18. Belgium permits euthanasia for children of any age.

In Oregon over 35% of those who have died reported being motivated by being a perceived burden on family, friends and caregivers.

Causes

Loneliness is one of the major causes of seeking assisted dying. In the Netherlands 77% of 39 Dutch adults with autism and/or intellectual disability gave loneliness as the main reason for choosing assisted dying. In Canada 20% of those opting for assisted dying did so because they were lonely. In Belgium over a period of two years 250 people chose assisted dying, not because they had physical illnesses but because of mental illness, loneliness addiction or despair. The answer to loneliness, addiction, suicidal ideation, mental illness, despair should not be death.

What was unthinkable has become the norm in these countries.

These and many other major social developments such as mass migration, growing poverty and isolation challenge us as a people.

The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity”

The work of religious orders in much of the developed world has changed. Where once religious orders played a fundamental role in establishing and running schools, hospitals, children’s homes, etc, much of that role has been assumed by the State in many countries. Is there a future role for them, and if so what is it?

In Evangelii Gaudium Pope Francis wrote that, “humanity is experiencing a turning-point in its history: steps are being taken to improve people’s welfare in a health care, education and communications. Yet the majority of our contemporaries are barely living from day to day, with dire consequences. Diseases are spreading. The hearts of many people are gripped by fear and desperation, even in the so-called rich countries. The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity”.

Pope Francis identified many of the causes we need to espouse: “…in cities human trafficking, the narcotics trade, the abuse and exploitation of minors, the abandonment of the elderly and infirm, and various forms of corruption and criminal activity take place. …Houses and neighbourhoods are more often built to isolate and protect than to connect and integrate.”

Humanity

I have seen and heard of the work of the Church across all the continents in dry, dusty, hot war-torn places and I have marvelled at what humanity can achieve with grace – whether it be religious sisters and brothers and lay missionaries providing education and health and other facilities to those who are less fortunate, often living in the most appalling circumstances, or the survival of a church at which the three priests were shot dead some years ago by a retreating army; the places of their deaths a few yards apart marked by three simple crosses; their church in which the people took refuge was set on fire so that hundreds died, unable to get out. Yet the church has been partially rebuilt and the people gather again to worship and thank God, despite all that they suffered.

To me that little church in Suai in Timor Leste is like an icon – the past and future of the Church is written in it.

The religious orders are still desperately needed in the world. Their challenge is to discern how to answer God’s call, not just as his children but through the charisms which he has given them.

The strategic and military alliances which are developing across the world mean that the work of peace-making is even more important and the work of religious congregations in bringing the Gospel message of love, not violence”