Vatican Reasserts Vehement Opposition to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com – The Vatican doubled down its stance on opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide which it believes can never be justified or tolerated.

In a new document issued Tuesday, the Vatican considers euthanasia and assisted suicide as an “act of homicide”, and legislators and politicians who support such laws are “accomplices”.

It went further by stipulating that Catholic healthcare workers must never give active or passive collaboration and governments the right to conscientious objection.

Read also: Chinese Hackers Behind Cyberattacks Targeting the Vatican

The 20-page document, titled "The Good Samaritan" and written by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's doctrinal office, incorporated past statements by the Roman Catholic Church on end of life issues but used tougher language.

"Euthanasia, therefore, is an intrinsically evil act, in every situation or circumstance," the document said.

"Euthanasia is an act of homicide that no end can justify and that does not tolerate any form of complicity or active or passive collaboration."

One section singled out lawmakers, saying that if they approve laws on euthanasia and assisted suicide they become "accomplices of a grave sin that others will execute".

Read also: One Hundred Indonesian Doctors Die at Frontlines Fighting Covid-19

Euthanasia involves a physician taking an active role in ending a patient's life whereas in assisted suicide, the doctor provides a lethal substance for the patient to self-administer.

Both are legal to various degrees in about 10 countries and several US states.

In February, Portuguese legislators approved bills that would decriminalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. They have not yet become law.

New Zealand is due to hold a referendum on both in October.

Read also: Jacinda Ardern a Clear Favorite in Upcoming New Zealand General Election

The document called legitimatizing euthanasia and assisted suicide "a sign of the degradation of legal systems".

In a section addressed to Catholic health workers, the document said their cooperation "must be excluded" because "we must obey God rather than men".

Governments "must acknowledge the right to conscientious objection" by health care workers, it said.

(Writer: Philip Pullella | Editor: Timothy Heritage)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/vatican-euthanasia/vatican-steps-up-opposition-to-euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide-idUSL5N2GJ1Z2