During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he had compassion for the sick, comforted those who mourned, and accompanied friends and family even in the journey to his own death (see, for example, Mark 5:25-43; John 11:32; John 19:26-27). Providing care to those who are sick and dying follows the example that Jesus set for us.  In 2016, The Commission on Faith and Witness (CFW) of the Canadian Council of Churches produced the consensus document Statement of Support for Universal Access to Palliative Care. It contains an explanation of Christian perspective on illness, death, and dying, as well as insights for supporting those in the process of dying through palliative care. This resource may be used:  

• as a reference document for advocacy related to end-of-life care; 

• by congregational small-group discussion on topics related to illness, death, dying, and grief; 

• by congregational pastoral care teams seeking guidance to better support individuals and families in illness, death, and dying; 

• by chaplains and spiritual care practitioners to educate those working or volunteering in healthcare and palliative care settings; 

• by Christians engaging in end-of-life planning. 

It is no coincidence that the CFW’s Statement of Support for Universal Access to Palliative Care was published the same year that medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada. While ethical concerns and questions around MAiD were of interest to many Christians, the CFW was unable to find consensus among its members. As a result, the discussion turned to access to palliative care, which could be supported unanimously. For one church’s perspective on physician-assisted death, see pages 63-65 of the working papers on suffering and hope (2010).