BRUSSELS, Belgium, JULY 5, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Belgium's Catholic bishops have issued a statement expressing their opposition to a proposal to legalize euthanasia.
The document, entitled "Euthanasia, A Defeat for Civilization," comes as the Belgian Senate debates legislation promoting "gentle death."
"Once again we wish to declare explicitly that to give a legal framework to euthanasia is morally unacceptable to us," the bishops stated. "Such a law, in fact, would contradict what is at the very heart of a society respectful of human life and concerned about the most vulnerable people."
The statement says euthanasia endangers the security of society's most defenseless members.
"We have every reason to fear that the legal possibility to put an end to life might establish a social pressure over the weakest," the document emphasizes. "This pressure might lead some to feel 'unwanted' and to desire to end their life so as not to be a weight on others."
ZE01070520
5. juli 2001