Abrahamic religions against euthanasia and assisted suicide
Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders condemn actions that “fundamentally contradict the inalienable value of human life”. Hence, they are “consequentially morally and religiously wrong, and should be forbidden without exceptions.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Representatives of the world’s Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have issued a position paper on matters concerning the end of life. They met in the Vatican before a meeting with Pope Francis.
In the document, the three religions oppose “any form of euthanasia”, as well as “physician assisted suicide” because such actions “fundamentally contradict the inalienable value of human life” and are “consequentially morally and religiously wrong, and should be forbidden without exceptions.”
Rabbi Avraham Steinberg of Israel is behind the paper. He proposed the idea to Pope Francis, who in turn entrusted it to the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Academy, involved and coordinated a joint inter-faith group to draft the declaration.
Rabbi Avraham Steinberg of the Israel National Bioethics Council and Rabbi David Rosen signed for Jews. Sheikh Bin Bayyah, president of the Muslim Forum for Peace and Samsul Anwar, president of Central Committee of the Indonesian Muhammadiyah signed for Muslims.
The paper presents “the position of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions regarding the values and the practices relevant to the dying patient, for the benefit of patients, families, health-care providers and policy makers who are adherents of one of these religions".
The goal includes enhancing “the capacity of healthcare professionals to better understand, respect, guide, help, and comfort the religious patient and the family at life’s end” as well as promoting “a reciprocal understanding and synergies of different approaches between the monotheistic religious traditions and secular ethics concerning beliefs, values, and practices relevant to the dying patient.”
With respect to the use of ethical technologies at the end of life, religious leaders call for the use of "clinically appropriate medical measures” that entail “the continuation of respiratory support, artificial nutrition and hydration, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, antibiotics, pressors and the like."”
The paper also notes that “conscientious objection [. . .] should be universally respected”. In fact, “No health care provider should be coerced or pressured to either directly or indirectly assist in the deliberate and intentional death of a patient through assisted suicide or any form of euthanasia, especially when it is against the religious beliefs of the provider. It has been well accepted throughout the generations that conscientious objection to acts that conflict with a person’s ethical values should be respected.”
Finally, patients should not be tempted to “choose death” because of a desire not to be financial burden. Instead, it should “encourage and support validated and professional palliative care everywhere and for everyone”. For this reason, it “commend[s] laws and policies that protect the rights and the dignity of the dying patient, in order to avoid euthanasia and promote palliative care.”
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11/07/2018 13:47
