Bogota, Colombia (Wednesday, 04/22/2015, Gaudium Press) Father Pedro Mercado, Deputy Secretary for Relations with the State of the Colombian Catholic Bishops Conference, has written to the Colombian Minister of Health on the subject of a draft resolution on the practice of euthanasia.
The Episcopal Conference recalls the Catechism of the Church in which it is stated that “whatever the motives and the means, direct euthanasia consisting in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons is morally unacceptable (cfr. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2277). “
The letter also says that the draft “even legitimize the practice of non-voluntary euthanasia (one that is made without the express consent of the patient)” opening “the door to numerous abuses, which would add to those who already suffer the Colombian people, subjected to poor health conditions”.
It also observes that “the regulations provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection violates the right of religious freedom and the right of freedom of conscience embedded in the Constitution, by ignoring the ethical and moral obligation of faithful Catholics and Catholic health institutions (or even belonging to other denominations) to not to accept this practice for reasons due to freedom of conscience or allegiance to a religious, ethical or moral identity.”
The letter states that “neither Catholic health workers or health institutions linked to the Catholic Church, can practice euthanasia under any circumstances. It is a non-negotiable moral principle.”
Related Images:
