Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
"[N]othing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying. Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask for this act of killing, either for himself or herself or for another person entrusted to his or her care, nor can he or she consent to it, either explicitly or implicitly. Nor can any authority legitimately recommend or permit such an action, for it is a question of the violation of the divine law, an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity."
— Declaration on Euthanasia, Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
"Catholics should be leaders in the effort to defend and uphold the principle that each of us has a right to live with dignity through every day of our lives. As disciples of one who is Lord of the living, we need to be messengers of the Gospel of Life. We should join with other concerned Americans, including disability rights advocates, charitable organizations, and members of the healing professions, to stand for the dignity of people with serious illnesses and disabilities and promote life-affirming solutions for their problems and hardships. We should ensure that the families of people with chronic or terminal illness will advocate for the rights of their loved ones, and will never feel they have been left alone in caring for their needs. The claim that the “quick fix” of an overdose of drugs can substitute for these efforts is an affront to patients, caregivers and the ideals of medicine."
— To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician Assisted Suicide, USCCB
| "The Alvarez Family Story" | "Cecilia's Story" |
Additional Resources
Euthanasia Statement
Euthanasia Statement from the USCCB
Reflections on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Priest for Life reflections on euthanasia and assisted suicide
Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Wrong Approach To End of Life Care
Article by F. Michael Gloth, III, M.D.
Click here for more articles on euthanasia and assisted suicide