Catholicism and Assisted Suicide / El Catolicismo y el Suicidio Asistido
California legislators have introduced assisted suicide legislation called the California S.B. 128, which would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients who want to commit suicide. The Catholic Church opposes assisted suicide because of its respect for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
What is Physician-Assisted Suicide?
Physician-assisted suicide is conducted when a physician prescribes a lethal dose of medication for consumption by a patient for the purpose of causing that patient’s death.
What is Catholic teaching on physician-assisted suicide?
The Catholic Church opposes both physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Catholic teaching strongly affirms that life must be valued not only when it brings pleasure and well-being, but also in times of suffering and death. Life is a gift from God. We are stewards of life, not dictators of life. All life, at every stage is precious. True compassion calls us to embrace those who are dying, not provide them with the means to end their lives.
For more insights on what our church and Bishops have to say about this issue take a look at this article: To Live Each Day With Dignity or visit the USCCB website.
¿Cuál es la enseñanza católica sobre el suicidio asistido?
La Iglesia Católica se opone al suicidio asistido por un médi-co. La enseñanza católica afirma firmemente que la vida debe ser valorada no sólo cuando se hay placer y bienestar, sino también en los momentos de sufrimiento y muerte. La vida es un don de Dios. Somos mayordomos de la vida, no los dictadores de la vida. Toda la vida, en todas las etapas es preciosa. La verdadera compasión nos llama a abrazar a los que están muriendo, no proporcionarles los medios para ponerle fin a sus vidas.
Para mas información sobre la opinion de nuestra iglesia sobre este asunto, lea este artículo llamado “La Vida Importa: El Suicidio Asistido Medicamente” o visite la pagina del la Conferencia de Obispos Catolicos de Estados Unidos.
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