Belgian Catholic hospitals to offer euthanasia
May 01, 2017
Belgian psychiatric hospitals run by the Brothers of Charity will now allow doctors to euthanasize patients.
The Brothers of Charity, whose hospitals care for about 5,000 patients in Belgium, announced that “we respect the freedom of doctors to decide whether or not to perform euthanasia and freedom of other caregivers to choose whether or not to participate.” The board of the hospitals issued a statement saying that “we take extreme caution on requests of patients for euthanasia,” but also take “the unbearable and hopeless suffering” seriously as well.
Brother René Stockman, the international leader of the Brothers of Charity (and, ironically, a Belgian), said from Rome that the decision of the Belgian institutions was at odds with the policy of the order. “We deplore this new vision,” he said.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Brothers of Charity, Catholic psychiatric hospitals to provide euthanasia (Father Z)
- Belgian Catholic psychiatric hospitals ‘adjust’ their view of euthanasia (BioEdge)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: nix898049 -
May. 02, 2017 3:11 PM ET USA
As another poster said, any way you look at it, it's murder. The intellect of that country has been clouded by sin for some time. That's the only way to account for such blindness.
-
Posted by: wsfinkeva4309 -
May. 02, 2017 9:51 AM ET USA
Besides the evilness of this, this is a psychiatric hospital, where by definition, the patients are dealing with mental disorders. Yet they are capable of making a decision about suicide? Oh, wait- if you call it euthanasia it's taking away unbearable pain, but if you call it suicide it's a mental disorder that needs care. Brothers of Charity my Aunt Fanny! There's no charity there and how dare they call themselves a Catholic service?
-
Posted by: space15796 -
May. 01, 2017 9:07 PM ET USA
So they aren't Catholic, right? How can they have it both ways?
-
Posted by: mwean7331 -
May. 01, 2017 7:09 PM ET USA
What are they teaching in seminarys that we ordain Priests who completely ignore the mandates their God. We are moving away from the true faith instituted by Jesus Christ. Any organization that fosters anti Catholic teaching should be stripped of their credentials. they no longer belong to Christ's Church. The hierarchy need to start cracking down on these dissidents . They are leading the faithful down the evil path. They will answer to their God in time.
-
Posted by: jeremiahjj -
May. 01, 2017 6:54 PM ET USA
Murder by any other name is still murder. Only the state may take a life, and then only after due process. One person or several persons working together may not participate in taking the life of another. However, drugs may be provided as long as pain relief and not death is the intended consequence.
-
Posted by: JimKcda -
May. 01, 2017 6:40 PM ET USA
When I attended Catholic school, I was taught that "the end never justifies the means" and there is never a "right to be wrong." How can these Brothers do this anymore than a Catholic hospital can allow abortions, as some are doing in this Country? Where are the Bishops? Where is the Pope?
-
Posted by: jackbene3651 -
May. 01, 2017 6:06 PM ET USA
Not surprised that Belgians would want euthanasia, but wouldn't it be easier just to move to a decent country?
-
Posted by: Bernadette -
May. 01, 2017 5:38 PM ET USA
Their bishop should declare them no longer a Catholic hospital. I agree with the superior of the order in Rome. How can he stop this? Should he not be able to stop this? This "trend" is getting out of hand. Disobedience to the law of God. Everyone for himself now. Individualism. Secularism. God no longer paramount in their beliefs and teaching and actions. There is palliative care and no need for people to suffer needlessly. Pain can be dealt with today as never before.
-
Posted by: Lucius49 -
May. 01, 2017 5:15 PM ET USA
This is horrendous. You have to do more than deplore the decision. These Brothers need to be disciplined! This is cooperating in evil.
