Mexican bishops criticize proposal that would legalize euthanasia

Published: 2005-05-26

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- A proposal in Mexico's Congress to legalize euthanasia has drawn strong criticism from the nation's bishops, with lawmakers saying they will challenge Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City to a public debate on the issue. Lawmakers from the Party of the Democratic Revolution have proposed a law that would allow doctors to actively aid terminally ill or brain-dead patients in dying. The law would require patients to put their wishes in writing, specifying at what point doctors should step in to speed their deaths. The Catholic Church in Mexico, however, has condemned the proposal as a slap in the face to human dignity. "Euthanasia is the killing of a person," Cardinal Rivera said May 22. "Homicide and suicide will always be something that is against God's design." The Mexican bishops' conference issued a statement urging lawmakers not to approve the measure.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .