NZ church blocks euthanasia meeting

21 Jul 2009, 10:47 am   -   Source: AAP
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A New Zealand church has cancelled a meeting with controversial euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke because it is "inconsistent with Christ's teachings".

A New Zealand church has cancelled a meeting with controversial Australian euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke because it is "inconsistent with Christ's teachings".

Dr Nitschke had been planning a New Zealand tour to publicise his euthanasia drug test kit, which can confirm whether a drug is a barbiturate and strong enough to provide a peaceful death.

However, his plans to promote it to the sick and the elderly have met with negative publicity in New Zealand, and triggered the cancellation of one event in Wellington on Friday.

Paul Ramsay from St John's in the City Presbyterian church said media coverage of the event had highlighted it was "inappropriate" and "did not sit well with the example being set by God".

Speaking from Sydney before flying to Auckland on Wednesday, Dr Nitschke said the decision was an attack on free speech.

"It is one thing to disagree with our message, it is another thing entirely to attempt to silence the debate by withdrawing meeting venues," Dr Nitschke said.

He said he was also surprised as his company Exit International had a "generally very positive" relationship with churches.

"I suspect (the church) has been pressured into this change of heart," Dr Nitschke said.

"I strongly believe that censorship of this nature amounts to a rather disingenuous way to engage in the end of life choices debate."

The campaigner hit headlines again earlier this month when he suggested that the elderly as well as the sick should have the right to end their life.

He said the kit was necessary because more people were acquiring the euthanasia drug Nembutal from uncertain sources without knowing its efficacy.

"The test kits will go a long way towards addressing this concern."

A 78-year-old Sydney woman is the latest to die through the Exit program.

Eva Griffith was found dead in her Ashfield unit on July 7. Her companion David Scott Mathers, 64, has been charged with her murder.

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