The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will launch a monthlong campaign on Respect Life Weekend aimed at educating Catholics about assisted suicide and encouraging parishes to consider how they can better accompany people who are suffering.
“Love — Until the Last Breath” will begin Oct. 3-4, with every parish being asked to share a video message from Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob before Mass and/or include a letter from the archbishop in its bulletin.
Throughout October, the campaign will continue with bulletin advertisements, social media materials, online resources and presentations.
In announcing the initiative to pastors, priests, parish directors and parish communicators Sept. 16, the archdiocese said Archbishop Grob is “deeply concerned” about assisted suicide and is asking parishes to partner in the educational effort.
The campaign comes amid developments in Wisconsin and neighboring Illinois. Legislation that would have legalized assisted suicide was introduced in Wisconsin during the recently concluded legislative session. The archdiocese told parishes that if legislation is introduced again after Jan. 1, 2027, additional resources will be provided to help them respond and keep parishioners informed.
Illinois enacted its End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act last year. The law, which took effect last month, allows qualifying terminally ill Illinois residents to request medication from a physician that they can self-administer to end their lives.
In his message for Respect Life Sunday, Archbishop Grob said the issue warrants Catholics’ attention.
“This year, I want to draw your attention to an issue gaining momentum throughout the world and here in the United States: the legalization of assisted suicide,” he said. “Legislation to make assisted suicide legal was passed in Illinois last year and has recently been proposed here in Wisconsin. It is an issue that deserves the attention of every Catholic.”
At the heart of the campaign is the Catholic Church’s teaching that human dignity does not depend upon a person’s physical condition or ability to live independently.
“Our lives are gifts from God, and our worth does not depend upon our health, independence, productivity or ability to avoid suffering,” Archbishop Grob said. “We remain beloved sons and daughters of God when we are seriously ill, disabled, elderly or approaching death.”
But the campaign is intended to address more than opposition to assisted-suicide legislation.
In announcing the initiative, the archdiocese said it wants Catholics to better understand Church teaching on the dignity of human life and why the Church opposes assisted suicide, while also considering how Catholics can better care for people who are suffering and support their families and caregivers.
Archbishop Grob makes that distinction explicit in his message.
“For this reason, the Church cannot support assisted suicide,” he said. “At the same time, our response must be about more than public policy. We must ask, how can we better accompany people who are suffering and support those who are caring for them?”
For those facing serious or terminal illness, that accompaniment includes helping ensure that they do not view themselves as burdens, Archbishop Grob said.
“Families need support,” he said. “Patients need compassionate medical care, including appropriate palliative and hospice care that seeks to relieve suffering while respecting the dignity of the person. No one should feel that death is the only way to escape pain, loneliness or fear.”
That emphasis is reflected in the name of the campaign itself: “Love — Until the Last Breath.”
Campaign materials carry the message, “Assisted suicide denies the dignity of human life,” and direct Catholics to additional information and parish presentations.
Archbishop Grob also places the Church’s approach to suffering and death within the Christian understanding of the Resurrection.
“We know that suffering and death do not have the final word,” he said. “Jesus Christ entered fully into human suffering and Death and through his Resurrection transformed them. In Christ, even the hour of death is illuminated by the promise of eternal life.”
The archbishop is encouraging Catholics to use October to learn more not only about assisted suicide but also about Church teaching on human dignity, compassionate care and end-of-life decisions.
The campaign will provide materials in English and Spanish. Parishes will receive bulletin and social media materials throughout October directing parishioners to additional information and local presentations.
The archdiocese described the effort to parish leaders as a way to help the Catholic community uphold the dignity of human life while reminding those who are suffering that they are not alone.
Archbishop Grob concluded his video message with a similar appeal.
“May the Lord give us the courage and compassion to protect life, accompany those who suffer and proclaim with confidence the hope of the Resurrection,” he said. “May God bless you.”
For information about “Love — Until the Last Breath” and upcoming presentations, visit archmil.org/love-until-the-last-breath.
