On the June 2 episode of All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks, Archbishop Hicks and co-host Monsignor Jim Vlaun discussed New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. 

Archbishop Hicks, who shared his point of view in an article for First Things earlier in the week, warned of some of the dangers of the law, which goes into effect in August. 

“While it might seem like physician-assisted suicide leans on the side of compassion… it’s a very slippery slope. It’s a very slippery slope, and it can very easily turn from compassion into really killing the vulnerable, the elderly, or those who can’t pay for healthcare. Where does it end?” he said, noting that Catholics believe that life, which “is a gift,” should end in a natural manner. 

He added, “We just have to continue to make sure that we’re very clear on we love life, it’s a gift from God and we’re here to respect it and protect it.” 

The archbishop said that life is “not something to discard,” and Monsignor Vlaun pointed out that that notion was clear during the Confirmation Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for young adults with special needs on Sunday, May 31. 

The archbishop agreed and shared, “All life is beautiful, and it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get hard sometimes. I looked at the moms and the dads and the grandparents and the brothers and sisters and if they have a child that has some special needs or some disabilities, that comes with a cost. I looked at their love, and their sacrifice, and their patience.” 

This conversation is part of this week’s episode of All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel (129) and Catholic Faith Network. 

If you have a question for the archbishop, you can send it by email to catholicchannel@siriusxm.com for a chance to be answered on “All Good Things.”