California Bishops Reaffirm Care for the Sick as Physician-Assisted Suicide Becomes Legal
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Catholic Conference of Bishops, comprised of the bishops of the two archdioceses and ten dioceses in California, released the following statement on the legalization of physician-assisted suicide on June 9, 2016:
Every human being possesses an inherent dignity that deserves our respect. Each of us should feel loved, respected, and valued at every moment of our lives, especially as the end of our earthly existence approaches.
What some people mistakenly consider a newfound “freedom” will inevitably become a responsibility for others. By allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to their patients, California is embarking on a dangerous path. This new law will put the disabled, the elderly, and other vulnerable people at risk of abuse and mistreatment, and it will weaken the venerable commitment of healthcare professionals to “first, do no harm.”
Our Commitment: To Care for Life in All its Stages
As Catholics, since the beginning of our faith, we have been called to care for the sick. This law will not stop our commitment to care for life in all its stages.
The Bishops of California and our associated Catholic healthcare institutions renew our promise to provide exceptional healthcare and compassionate care to people facing terminal diagnoses. Together, we are committed to strengthening our palliative care and other medical services for people with chronic and terminal illnesses, so that no person we care for feels pressured to choose assisted suicide.
Critiques of a Flawed Law
We have spoken out – and will continue to speak out – firmly against this misguided law.
- The law does not require a psychological evaluation for individuals requesting assisted suicide.
- The disability rights community is greatly concerned about the lack of safeguards in the law.
- There is an absence of reliable data on its use and an increase in suicides has been seen in other states where assisted suicide is legal.
Pope Francis has challenged us many times to care for the marginalized. In an address to medical professionals last year, he spoke about our responsibility to care for people in the final stage of their lives:
“Palliative care is an expression of the truly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially of those who suffer. It is a testimony that the human person is always precious, even if marked by old age and sickness. The human person, in fact, in any circumstance, is a good for him/herself and for others and is loved by God. This is why, when life becomes very fragile and the end of earthly existence approaches, we feel the responsibility to assist and accompany the person in the best way possible.”
We echo this commitment of our faith and take to heart the words of St. John Paul II:
“Respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness!”