Pope Benedict XVI Decries Advance toward Euthanasia

(December 20, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "deep concern" for the advance of euthanasia legislation in Luxembourg, saying that politicians should remember that taking innocent human life is always wrong. The Pope's words came Thursday, as the Luxembourg Parliament was reaching an initial narrow approval of euthanasia legislation after a five-hour debate. The vote was 31 in favour and 26 against, with three abstentions. The bill might make Luxembourg the third European Union nation to approve euthanasia, after Belgium and the Netherlands. The Holy Father, meanwhile, while receiving the new Luxembourg ambassador to the Holy See, Paul Duh, spoke in his address against euthanasia. The Pope expressed his "most deep concern about the text of the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide." He noted that the bill is accompanied by legislation that itself contradicts the text, foreseeing regulations to develop palliative care so as to make suffering more endurable in the final stage of illness and to favour appropriate human support of the patient. Nevertheless the bill, the Pope lamented, "Concretely legitimizes the possibility of ending life." "Political leaders, whose duty is to serve the good of man, as well as doctors and families, must remember that the deliberate decision to deprive an innocent human being of his life is always bad from the moral point of view, and can never be licit," he continued. "Love and true compassion embark on another path. Addressing the people of Luxembourg, Benedict XVI appealed to their "Christian and humanistic roots," and asked them to reaffirm the "greatness and the inviolable character of human life." The Parliament approval was the first reading of the bill, which was significantly modified since an earlier version was approved. Another reading will most likely be scheduled.