Madrid, Spain, Oct 10, 2007 / 09:35 am
The secretary general and spokesman of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, Father Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Health to create a Bioethics Committee on euthanasia.
“Euthanasia is one of the temptations of the contemporary totalitarian states,” Father Martinez said. “The Church’s position is not extreme. The Church is against making the sick and the dying suffer, against treatment that prolongs suffering for the patient and the family. That is unethical,” he told the Cope Radio network.
“But neither can death be hastened,” Father Martinez continued. “It should not be absurdly slowed down nor accelerated. To do so would be to introduce insecurity into the health care system since all human life is of equal value, even though it may be diminished in its physical characteristics,” he added.
The proposal to form a committee was confirmed last Thursday by the Minister of Health and Consumption, Bernat Soria. The committee would handle cases of patients with untreatable illnesses or who resist treatment.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA