Originally Posted - May 7, 2006

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Myra Christopher, along with many other bioethicists and medical professionals, funded by billionaire donors who support assisted suicide and euthanasia via legislative and public policy change in the U.S., has been instrumental in the push towards legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia on many fronts. The gains in legalization have largely been through educational programs directed toward healthcare givers and healthcare systems, government and their agencies, and the clergy, which leads to public policy changes.

The Community State Partnership Program was a large undertaking which disseminated educational material across the country, and interjected that philosophy into mainstream views. Educating the public in terms of taking control, wishes, and end of life care is another frontal assault Myra has pursued. Many of Myra's projects are legitimate. However, we cannot overlook the facts that Myra has been deeply aligned with Last Acts which openly supported assisted suicide, evolved from the Hemlock Society, and pushed for changes in laws allowing euthanasia in this country. We cannot overlook the fact that Myra is involved in scores of programs that largely handle death, dying, and end of life issues and are aligned with many organizations who support assisted suicide. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/041606HealthcareConnection.html

Compassion Sabbath is a PATHWAYS project, utilizing the clergy in the United States to respond to ethical issues in health and healthcare, and was developed and disseminated by Myra's Bioethics Center. The initiative was titled Compassion Sabbath.

During October 1998 to March 2000, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) contributed $230,748.00 in grants to Myra Christopher's organization, Midwest Bioethics Center, currently named Center for Practical Bioethics, specifically for the Compassion Sabbath project.

During January 2000 to September 2000, RWJF contributed another $41,149.00 in grants totaling $271,897 to support the Compassion Sabbath project. The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City contributed $15,000 with five other funders each contributing $10,000 or less to the project, including a Medical Center contribution.

In 2001 and 2002, the Center was unable to raise the funds to continue the program into 2003. However, many faith leaders currently use the materials provided by Myra's center; many faith leaders have incorporated Myra's materials into policy and have expanded utilization of her materials into other areas, such as faith based Hurricane Katrina relief; many healthcare agencies adapted and utilize Myra's materials, such as Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD) and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

During Compassion Sabbath's initial phase, 2,500 clergy, predominantly from the Kansas City area, were given Resource Kits produced for the project, and were surveyed before and after the project to evaluate the impact of Compassion Sabbath. The Resource Kits contained texts, manuals, guidelines, sample homilies, curricula, study guides and discussion group guides, videos and directories on end of life organizations, including Last Acts, a defunct euthanasia advocacy group.

Myra's Center for Practical Bioethics subcontracted with the ETC Institute, a research consulting group in Kansas, on the survey. The ETC Institute reported an interesting survey finding; "Compassion Sabbath increased participation in programs designed to enhance end of life ministry in the Kansas City area. For example, in 2000, 51 percent of the faith leaders said that members of their congregations had participated in such programs, compared to 43 percent in 1999."

One lesson learned from the project, "Letting key stakeholders play a major role in a project ensures its relevance. Compassion Sabbath grew out of conversations with clergy who were members of the Midwest Bioethics Center's boards. Because Center staff allowed members of the faith community to design and implement the project, it was relevant to faith communities." (Project Director)

Our lessons learned; In order to advance a concept, particularly if the concept is morally repugnant, include all participants in more than one session, with inclusion of the major players in pertinent roles. Clergy then become active participants in advancement of the concept of assisted suicide and euthanasia which provides them with the "ownership" ideal. Maintain focus on end of life problems and how to fix those problems, whether real or perceived. Involve euthanasia organizations as resources and links with the same material provided to the clergy.

Without the clergy condoning assisted suicide or "ensuring its relevance," pulling feeding tubes in order to starve and dehydrate someone to death, would have screeched the euthanasia movement to a halt. Pulling ventilator tubes would have remained the primary act in advancement of euthanasia, and that has hindered progression of the movement in the U.S for decades.

Presentations about the Compassion Sabbath project were made to the National Hospice Organization, the National Council of Catholic Women, and the National Parish Nurse Conference, according to the RWJF. http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/resources/grantsreport.jsp?filename=038338.htm&iaid=#int_biblio#int_biblio

In a PBS feature on Compassion Sabbath in June 2001, Myra said, "Clergy do want to be involved. They are hungry for information. They want to take leadership. And, once they feel confident, then, in fact, the things that they are inspiring their congregations to do are so much more creative and substantive."

Myra declared, "The things that have happened have been just marvelous. Visitation ministry being created -- organized and created, ministry to people who are shut-ins, grief and bereavement programs being established."

While Compassion Sabbath may have raised awareness about ministering to the seriously ill and dying and how to deal with the dying among the clergy, other information contained in Myra's literature that was provided to the clergy is of far more significance. What information those religious leaders walked away with, how it was presented to them, and how that information influenced sermons and their congregations are of vital importance in changing public views and policies toward acceptance of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Over half a million dollars was spent to teach clergy in this country about death and dying and how to deal with those issues. The only pertinent factor; the degree of thrust employed that convinced men and women of the cloth passive euthanasia is a decent, humane, and merciful act.

5-07-06 http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/041606HealthcareConnection.html
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/042506MyraChristopher2.html
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/050206MyraChristopher3.html

© 2006 North Country Gazette