Belgian bishops reject hospitals’ decision to allow euthanasia
May 23, 2017
The Catholic bishops of Belgium have issued a statement rejecting the policy proposed by the Brothers of Charity, who have said that they will allow doctors to euthanize patients in the hospitals they administer.
“We cannot accept that euthanasia could be practiced on psychiatric patients who are not in a terminal condition,” the bishops said.
The bishops acknowledged that some patients may undergo “immense” suffering, but they insisted that “precisely in this situation we must remain close to him and not abandon him.” They stressed the importance of palliative care.
In their statement the bishops professed their “deep esteem” for health-care professionals treating patients with psychiatric problems. The Brothers of Charity run hospitals caring for about 5,000 patients in Belgium.
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Further information:
- Non à l'euthanasie des patients psychiatriques (La Libre)
- Belgian Catholic hospitals to offer euthanasia (CWN, 5/1)
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Posted by: -
May. 24, 2017 12:54 PM ET USA
It is not charity to allow euthanasia in a Catholic or other hospital. I stand with the bishops.
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Posted by: JimKcda -
May. 23, 2017 11:23 PM ET USA
“We cannot accept that euthanasia could be practiced on psychiatric patients who are not in a terminal condition,” the bishops said.... Is euthanasia "OK" for those who are in a "terminal condition." And who decides? I DONT THINK SO!
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Posted by: mwean7331 -
May. 23, 2017 9:31 PM ET USA
Congratulations to the Bishops for making a statement of rejection. Wow, bet that took some doing! Now what? How about some action now. That's like the sheep owner catching the hired shepherd allowing the "friendly" wolf into the sheep fold because the wolf was cold and telling him that's not allowed but not firing the hired shepherd.
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Posted by: timothy.op -
May. 23, 2017 8:25 PM ET USA
A mere statement is ephemeral at best if not undergirded with decisive action.
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Posted by: nix898049 -
May. 23, 2017 4:13 PM ET USA
Do these bishops not have the power to send the Brothers of Charity packing from their diocese if they don't drop their proposed policy?
