The Church in the contemporary debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide

Abstract

The debate surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide reveals a profound tension between the desire to maximize individual autonomy and the belief in the inviolable value of human life. Legalization processes taking place in some European and non-European countries, the activities of pro-euthanasia groups, and the intense media coverage of the topic mean that this discussion is no longer merely theoretical in nature but directly impacts legal systems, medical practice, and public awareness. In this context, the Catholic Church’s position remains clear and consistent: opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide stems from a belief in the dignity of the human person, whose life — from conception to natural death — has value independent of health status or the level of suffering. God is the Lord of life and death. At the same time, the Church distinguishes euthanasia from the abandonment of aggressive treatment, allowing for the renunciation of extraordinary measures when they do not provide proportionate benefits. In this light, the development of palliative and hospice care appears as an important response to the drama of suffering, offering support to the patient instead of hastening his death.