Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Matehuala (Fides Service) - In a statement issued on 18 May the Catholic Bishops of Mexico strongly criticised a proposed “general law on the rights of persons who are terminally ill” presented in parliament by the Democratic Revolution Party which would amend Mexico’s the penal and civil code in order to legalise euthanasia. The Church’s statement is signed Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez of Matehuala diocese and President of the Mexican Bishops’ Commission for Family Pastoral Care.
The statement underlines that life it an immense gift received from the Creator and it cannot be disposed of like an object. “Life is the premise for all the values, rights and duties of the human person”. Therefore “life is our responsibility. We must protect it and help it to become perfect with love and sincere self-giving to our brothers and sisters”. The Bishops call attention to the fact that the proposal to legalise euthanasia claims “that is an act of pity and respect for the human person which aimed at prevent atrocious suffering” while instead we live in “the context of a culture which ignores the authentic calling of the human person and reduces the meaning of life to the capacity to enjoy, in a view of life based on bodily, psychological and social well-being, productivity and prestige”. This position, apparently compassionate towards human suffering, sees in suffering only a source of bitterness and negativity, overlooking the fact that many people maimed in their physical, mental and social abilities have been examples of integrity and strength proving that there are higher values which give meaning to life despite limitations.
“The human person, even the most maimed, is of immense value and importance created in the image and likeness of God and loved by God”. Therefore “we cannot do as we please with our life or the life or another person under the pretext that we are respecting the person’s autonomy, because the transcendent value of life and of responsible freedom is revealed with respect, protection and promotion of the dignity of human life”. “Euthanasia is always a form of homicide or suicide which, if legalised, would have enormous social repercussions”. Therefore every person of goodwill is asked to protest against the legalisation of this terrible crime. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 20/5/2005, righe 29, parole 410)
