26 September 2013
The Catholic Church believes in the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception to its natural end.
Despite efforts to ensure that there are safeguards in place, experience across the world shows that people are euthanized without their consent. The Netherlands Government’s statistics show more than 300 people die each year from euthanasia without explicit consent.
Another area of concern is that elderly people can feel insecure when they are told that they are taking up a bed, or costing money or are no longer useful. They can fear that that someone may decide that their life should be terminated. Again the Netherlands experience shows this. A survey of GPs in 2011 found that 20% of them were willing to euthanize a patient who is merely tired of life.
A good society will be identified by its preparedness to show respect for its vulnerable citizens: the elderly, the sick and those living with disabilities.