Roland C. Nyegaard M.D.: Bishop should butt out of assisted-suicide debate

Re “Open letter against assisted suicide” (Opinions, Aug. 30): I read with interest Bishop Stephen Blaire’s open letter to Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, who sponsored the bill that will allow physician-assisted suicide.

Three cheers for the courage of Eggman! Those of us who have helped patients die know that there are limits to how well we can relieve suffering in certain patients.

The Catholic church made a vigorous effort to block a similar law in Oregon. Their reasons were theological and warnings of possible abuse. In over 20 years of the law’s history in Oregon, there has been no instance of abuse! Amazingly, there is an average of only 27 requests for assisted suicide a year, and fewer than 20 patients a year have actually used the drugs. What is often left out of the discussion is that a drug suicide kit is infinitely more humane than a bullet to the head.

I hope that in future bishops confine their theology to their flock and stop trying to pass laws that affect those outside their faith. Your long history of blocking contraceptive use in America is a deplorable example of interference in the lives of non-Catholics.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Roland C. Nyegaard M.D.: Bishop should butt out of assisted-suicide debate."