Cardinal Barragan reiterates moral gravity of euthanasia
(28 Sept; 2006): -The President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, Cardinal
Javier Lozano Barragan, has reiterated the Church’s teaching that euthanasia is a
form of murder. Speaking to the Italian daily “La Repubblica,” the Mexican cardinal
emphasized, “This is one of the teachings of the Church in the field of medicine and
serious illness. It is a truth that the believer must never forget. Man can never
take the place of God, as those who promote euthanasia pretend to do,” he said. At
the same time, however, the cardinal noted that it is not moral to prolong a sick
person’s agony with medical treatment that serves no purpose. Palliative care for
the alleviating of useless suffering should always be preferred” he added. A video
sent to the Italian president showing a handicapped man who cannot breathe on his
own, has sparked an intense debate on euthanasia in Italy, where the practice is currently
illegal.