Cardinal laments California’s legalization of assisted suicide

October 07, 2015

The chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lamented the legalization of assisted suicide of California.

“Governor [Jerry] Brown's decision this week to sign a bill legalizing doctor-assisted suicide in California is a great tragedy for human life,” Cardinal Seán O'Malley said in an October 6 statement. “As a result, in all the West coast states, seriously ill patients suffering from depression and suicidal feelings will receive lethal drugs, instead of genuine care to help alleviate that suffering.”

“With the bishops of California, I grieve for this deeply flawed action,” he added. “I am sure the Catholic Church in this country will redouble its efforts to protect innocent life at its most vulnerable stages, and to promote palliative care and other real solutions for the problems and hardships of terminally ill patients and their families.”

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal O’Malley: California Legalization Of Assisted Suicide “A Great Tragedy For Human Life” (USCCB)
• Assisted suicide legalized in California (CWN, 10/6)