Catholic Bishops of Argentina Voice Opposition to Euthanasia Legislation by Quoting Pope Francis “Euthanasia and assisted suicide are a defeat for everyone. "

There four bills are being considered by the congress of the South American country to promote legalization of Euthanasia. Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Argentina on Euthanasia legislation being promoted in the country:
Given the announcement of different Euthanasia bills promoted in both Chambers of the National Congress, from the Episcopal Commission for Life, the Laity and the Family we want to propose a reflection, since the Gospel commits us not to be indifferent to discussions about the beginning and the end of life.

Even in cases of diseases that have no cure, all patients must be cared for and accompanied so that their life is respected until natural death. We are not the owners of life and that is why we put ourselves at your service. In all circumstances, its value must be placed above all else and it is an obligation to care for people in all their stages, especially in vulnerability. As Pope Francis teaches us: “Euthanasia and assisted suicide are a defeat for everyone. The response to which we are called is never to abandon those who suffer, never to give up, but to care and love to give hope”

Palliative and comprehensive care should be valued, which relieves pain in serious illness and helps those who suffer and bears much fruit in the human person and in their family. It is essential to accompany the anguish of those who suffer, their physical and spiritual pain. The nature of medicine is to cure, but also to relieve and humanize the process of death Taking life is not a way to alleviate suffering. The care of life and the proposal to serve it at all times is our mission, each one from his place of commitment and believing testimony.

We are facing a new manifestation of the culture of death and discarding and, at the same time, facing a people that every day demands care for their lives and for such important needs as health, work, shelter and shelter. Earth. Although a society cannot eliminate suffering, it can always commit all its energies to the lives of those who suffer. Our Argentine people have a very rich history doing it, both from the field of solidarity and from Medicine itself. We do not leave anyone alone, and we have developed multiple alternatives over the years to accompany physical and spiritual pain with science and humanity. In the Hospices and in the Cottolengos, we see a great example of this.

Once again, and with the same commitment as always, we say: Vale Todo Vida. We come from a Pandemic where we have seen and see health personnel shouldering the pain and suffering of so many men and women, sick and dying. We have heard them cry at the loss of a life for which they lavished themselves tirelessly.

Out of respect for the life that comes to us from God and of which we do not own, out of consideration for so many people who have committed themselves to caring for life as health personnel, out of respect for those who are not here and have died in these years, We ask God that in our beloved country there is no room for laws that leave by the side of the road and exclude from the table of life those who suffer the most.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Episcopal Commission for Life, the Laity and the Family – #CEVILAF

Argentine Episcopal Conference

Source: https://episcopado.org/ver/3466