Spanish bishops published their own letter on the issue last December, “Sowers of Hope,” in which they reminded Catholics that “there is no one that can’t be cared for even if they are incurable.”
Euthanasia
Vatican reaffirms, clarifies church teachings on end-of-life care
“The church is convinced of the necessity to reaffirm as definitive teaching that euthanasia is a crime against human life because, in this act, one chooses directly to cause the death of another innocent human being.”
Spanish bishops denounce euthanasia bill
Euthanasia legislation is headed for the Spanish Senate and, if passed, it would be a defeat for human dignity and would affirm a self-centered view of life that proposes death as a solution to one’s problems, the Spanish bishops’ conference said.
Italy: Controversial verdict may force legalization of assisted suicide
The acquittal of two “right-to-die” activists on July 27 who aided in the suicide of a person suffering from multiple sclerosis may force the Italian government to legalize assisted suicide in the country.
Belgium’s Brothers of Charity cut ties to their homes over euthanasia
The Brothers of Charity were informed of the Vatican decision in a letter co-signed by Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer, doctrinal congregation prefect, and Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, doctrinal congregation secretary.
After court ruling, Dutch cardinal sees increase of euthanasia in the Netherlands
Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, president of the Bishops’ Conference of the Netherlands, said, however, the court’s ruling would not only make it easier for doctors to take the lives of dementia patients but would also put them under pressure to do so.
Bishops among critics of Canada’s quick changes to assisted suicide law
Archbishop Richard Gagnon, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, reiterated church opposition to government-sanctioned suicide while slamming the idea that a survey is the way to address “grave moral questions.”
Massachusetts judge rejects right to physician-assisted suicide
The ruling comes in a case filed by Dr. Roger Kligler, a retired physician from Cape Cod who has advanced prostate cancer, and Dr. Alan Steinbach, who treats terminally ill patients.
Debate over Vatican official’s assisted suicide remark driven more by ideology than reality
Is it appropriate for a priest to accompany a person who had chosen to undergo assisted suicide?
National Council on Disability: Assisted suicide laws pose ‘danger and harm’ to people with disabilities
The National Council on Disability said in a new study that “the dangers and harms” physician-assisted suicide laws present to people with disabilities “appear to be as significant today” as they were in 1997 and 2005, when the council earlier analyzed the harms of such laws.
