For devout Catholics wondering whether final rites will be available to a loved one who's chosen a medically assisted death, the answer may depend on the person they ask. Canadian bishops are sending out different messages on whether there should be an absolute ban on funerals in cases of assisted dying. Emma Anderson is a scholar of Canadian Catholicism at the University of Ottawa. She says the divide stems in part from Pope Francis, and his willingness to empower lower levels of leadership to make decisions based on local circumstances. (Six bishops in Alberta and Northwest Territories released guidelines last month directing priests to refuse funerals for people who choose to have an assisted death, calling it a "grave sin." The Catholic Church is unequivocal in its condemnation of any form of suicide, but authorities in other parts of Canada have taken a more flexible approach.)

Date: 2016-10-09
Placeline: OTTAWA.
Source: The Canadian Press
Length: 23 seconds

Transcript Prediction: << effectively he said look Bishops and archbishops how about it and decide what works for you in your local contacts that's what we see Happening Here in Canada and this is why it can be profoundly disturbing if you're a devout Catholic to be getting really different messages in Quebec in Ottowa in Alberta in the Northwest Territories >>

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