AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Catholic Bishops of Rio Negro, concerned about proposed bill to guarantee “worthy death”, re-launch series of proposal to assist the seriously or terminally ill and their families

Río Negro (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops of the Río Negro region, diocese of Alto Valle de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Viedma, issued a pastoral statement on the subject of human dignity since the regional authorities are discussing two proposed Bills which claim to guarantee a "worthy death". In the statement addressed to Catholics and all men and women of goodwill the Bishops reflect on the subject from the point of view of scientific truth and moral objectivity. The Bills in discussion are: "Manifestation of will subject to information" and a proposal to open a "Register of anticipated wills”. With regard to the first the Bishops say the Church has always been against " medical intervention not suited to the condition of the patient". This would legalise treatment to prolong a precarious and painful life, without interruption necessary hydration and feeding. But this truth “is not respected in these proposed laws" the Bishops say. With regard to the second the Bishops stress the need for more social and bio-ethical debate and the need to clarify many aspects from the juridical, sanitary and administrative points of view.
The Bishops fear these regional laws fail to ensure the patient, “authentic quality of life" and they say that a "worthy death" means having pain alleviated, being in one's family, receiving spiritual care if the person is a believer, as biological life comes to an end.
The Bishops recall fundamental principles to be taken into account: the value of every human life; the dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God; the importance of caring for every human person, as indicated by the most modern and humanistic science and basic health assistance; the value of palliative treatment. The Bishops conclude with suggestions on how to assist those who are seriously or terminally ill: to assist their families, build and sustain programmes of home care and economic support to afford these programmes, open centres for families unable to cope with the situation. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/7/2007; righe 31, parole 455)