Clergy Day on P.A.D. and Related Pastoral Care

On Wednesday, November 15, approximately sixty clergy of the diocese and nine visiting experts gathered in the main conference room and other locations around the Synod Offices to discuss Physician Assisted Death (Bill C-14), power of attorney, representation agreements, end of life planning and other pastoral issues. The nine advisors who represented various areas of knowledge, law, medicine and psychology inlcuded Dr. David Kuhl the author of "What Dying People Want - Wisdom at the End of Life" and Dr. Marv Westwood a UBC psychologist who is expert in PTSD and later life studies.

The clergy and guests met in plenary and also in nine small groups, morning and afternoon sessions. Due to the intimate nature of the discussions, clergy of the diocese were instructed to reserve their space at the Clergy Day event in advance in order that it not be oversubscribed. Taking a leadership role in facilitating the event was the dean of the diocese and rector of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott who has worked with both Dr. Kuhl and Dr. Westwood on organizing and presenting discussions about PAD and the accompanying challenges of end of life planning for individuals and families.