A YouTube video appearing on the website of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, features Lovett who lives in Oregon very near the home where another terminally ill young woman, Brittany Maynard, ended her life by swallowing a lethal dose of medication last year. Maynard's case reignited discussions about physician assisted suicide and was the impetus behind new laws being crafted to support euthanasia in several states.
But Lovett has chosen a much different path.
“I live in Oregon where it would be legal for me to end my life, but I can’t do that,” she says. “People are calling euthanasia death with dignity. The moment we label suicide an act of dignity we imply that people like me are undignified for not ending our life, or worse, are a costly burden for society. What a lonely uncharitable and fake world we live in if we think its somehow undignified to let people see us suffer, to love us and care for us to the end.
Thousands have watched the video and been moved by her adamant refusal to let cancer write the story of her life.
“My life isn’t written by cancer. It’s written by love,” she says. “And whenever it ends it will end in eternal love.”
After all, she says, “A story’s end changes the meaning of every page.”
Bishop James P. Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, was so moved by the video he posted it on the diocesan website and wrote a column directing parishioners to not only view it, but to bring Lovett’s vital message into the world.
“The difference between people who know God’s love and those who believe they must take their lives is us. Those who believe they are a burden are in need of Jesus Christ’s love. The tragic death of Brittany Maynard is a solemn reminder of our call to be evangelists by accompanying others in their suffering. The culture of death is defeated by an encounter with divine love. When we proclaim the Gospel, we do so to spare souls from the tragic and violent lies of Satan. We must do so vigorously.”
As Lovett so calmly and beautifully proclaims, “My life isn’t mine to take, it’s mine to give. Life was given to me to love to the end. Love is dignity. I’m facing death with dignity.”
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