Vatican takes a stand against euthanasia and relentless therapy

In this text, the Church is opposed to relentless therapy and above all affirms a radical positioning in the face of the'euthanasia considered as " a crime against life" page (in French).

“Euthanasia is a murderous act that no end can legitimize and which does not tolerate any form of complicity or collaboration, active or passive. Those who pass laws on euthanasia and assisted suicide are therefore complicit in the grave sin that others will commit. They are also guilty of scandal because these laws help to distort the conscience, even of the faithful. "

The letter is also expressed on psychological and spiritual support for the sick by Christians because “it is not enough to share their pain; we must immerse ourselves in the fruits of the paschal mystery of Christ who conquers sin and death, with the will to dispel the misery of the other, as if it were his own ”.

“Instead of indulging in false condescension, Christians should offer the sick the help they need to get out of their despair. Ultimate happiness is in Heaven. Thus, the Christian will not expect physical life to continue when death is clearly near. The Christian will help the dying man to free himself from despair and put his hope in God. The sick person who feels surrounded by the loving human and Christian presence, overcomes all forms of depression and does not fall into the anguish of those who, on the contrary, feel alone and abandoned to their destiny of suffering and death ”.

The objective of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with this text is for the Church to learn "from the Good Samaritan how to care for the terminally ill and also to obey the commandment related to the gift of life: Respect, defend, love and serve life, all human life ”.