Catholic Bishops of Ecuador's Statement Against Decimalization of Euthanasia "We will continue to announce the Gospel of Life" FULL TEXT
Decision of the Constitutional Court
Quito,
February 14, 2024
The Catholic Church, of which the majority of Ecuadorians are a part,
Following Jesus' practice of healing the sick, he has combated pain
and the suffering of people suffering from different illnesses and diseases,
especially degenerative, chronic and incurable diseases.
Health services run by the Church cross the territory
national and are located, especially, in the most impoverished sectors of
our society. There, we share the pain and suffering of so many
brothers, and together with them, we seek to restore their dignity and give them the best
quality of life. We are not alien to that reality. We don't speak from the cold
distance from “should be”, but from the commitment to life in its
multiple forms.
By mandate of the Constitutional Court, Ecuador is the ninth country in the
world to accept euthanasia, despite having only 3.5% of
palliative care coverage for the population. It is worrying to observe
how the throwaway culture, promoted by some judges, is
becoming a new member of our social reality.
The recent Sentence 67-23-IN/24 decriminalizes euthanasia in Ecuador under
certain conditions. It may be performed by a doctor, as long as the
person affected by intense suffering expresses consent
unequivocal, free and informed, whether in person or through a
legal representative in cases of disability.
Although it is true, the claim's request that it be a
right and, therefore, a public service; However, it becomes a
reality with which we will have to live, and many sick or
People in vulnerable situations will be forced to resort to “not
be burdensome or annoying for their families or for the State.” We are already at the beginning of a slippery slope whose paths of death do not
They never magnify a society.
Reflection and commitment
Human life is sacred and inviolable. Any complicity with the weakest and most vulnerable ends up paying for death. A society
that does not defend them is condemned to the greatest manipulations and
the worst tragedies. It is diabolical to want to defend life by giving a
homicide a framework of legality.
Euthanasia is not synonymous with a painless death and
suffering. In many cases, patients present complications,
such as vomiting of lethal medication or with the recovery of consciousness
after an initial effect. The process may take 25 minutes, but the
reported range exceeds 4 days. They are not patients who die relieved
emotionally, psychologically, physically, or spiritually.
Euthanasia is not a matter of personal freedom. The freedom of a patient, in a highly vulnerable condition, is strongly
conditioned and emotionally affected. Furthermore, in many
cases, the decision may come down to the doctor, the family, and even the
State or health companies that refuse to provide the care
necessary to better care for the patient's condition or lack of resources; as, in fact, happens in countries where this law is
current.
The ruling, furthermore, is vague regarding the scope of its assumptions: it does not specify or develop what a “serious and irreversible bodily injury” is or “serious and incurable disease”. It must be specified what is meant by these expressions, so as not to put the lives of vulnerable people at risk, such as, for example, psychiatric patients or patients with psychological disorders, that would also be exposed. The saddest thing is that the children.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that the Constitutional Court not only modifies the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code but also the Code of Ethics Medical since it allows a doctor to approach a patient with the intention to kill him, perverting the very essence of his profession which is to defend life.
The saved votes also indicate that it is an excess of the powers of the Court and an unconstitutional interference in the function of the Legislator. Give way to euthanasia without requiring a palliative care law. It is another example of the cynicism of our institutions, and their social and political failure and of those who direct them.
The ruling, furthermore, is vague regarding the scope of its assumptions: it does not specify or develop what a “serious and irreversible bodily injury” is or “serious and incurable disease”. It must be specified what is meant by these expressions, so as not to put the lives of vulnerable people at risk, such as, for example, psychiatric patients or patients with psychological disorders, that would also be exposed. The saddest thing is that the children.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that the Constitutional Court not only modifies the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code but also the Code of Ethics Medical since it allows a doctor to approach a patient with the intention to kill him, perverting the very essence of his profession which is to defend life.
The saved votes also indicate that it is an excess of the powers of the Court and an unconstitutional interference in the function of the Legislator. Give way to euthanasia without requiring a palliative care law. It is another example of the cynicism of our institutions, and their social and political failure and of those who direct them.
PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL
The right to life, like all human rights, is inalienable. Euthanasia ignores the dignity of all people, making unfair discrimination between those who deserve to live, and receive help and attention and those who don't. We categorize human beings into groups: the healthy, the disabled, the unproductive, the poor who do not They can access better support in suffering. This has a deterrent effect, as it generates subtle coercion and a feeling of being a “burden”, since the patient will know that there is an exit door to avoid problems for others.
The right to life, like all human rights, is inalienable. Euthanasia ignores the dignity of all people, making unfair discrimination between those who deserve to live, and receive help and attention and those who don't. We categorize human beings into groups: the healthy, the disabled, the unproductive, the poor who do not They can access better support in suffering. This has a deterrent effect, as it generates subtle coercion and a feeling of being a “burden”, since the patient will know that there is an exit door to avoid problems for others.
Seeking to eliminate suffering is almost like eliminating
Human nature. Life, illness, suffering and death They are part of the human condition. There is not a single person in the history of humanity that has been able to evade suffering.
What must we do as a society?
Relieve suffering. Search and promote a law
Palliative Care in Ecuador, which does not currently exist, instead of settling for the worst of possibilities. We cannot offer death if we do not even provide the minimum requirements of health for a dignified life.
Many men and women in this country, in the name of their faith in Jesus Christ,
They dedicate their time and energy to providing medical, psychological and
spiritually, to those who suffer from degenerative, chronic or
incurables, the elderly, children and people with disabilities. Is by
all of them who raise their voices, because no life is worth less than
other.
The Constitution and the law must be at the service of the health and life of
all Ecuadorians, especially people who suffer
intensively due to catastrophic diseases, seeking all the
possible means to alleviate them.
The ruling of the Constitutional Court has shocked Ecuador.
We will continue to announce the Gospel of Life with our
compassion and our action.
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