Holland: tragic abuses” “

“We must be on our guard against any kind of violation and suppression of life. ‘We are… the guardians of life, not its owners'”, writes the Pope in his message for the 10th World Day of the sick that the Church throughout the world will celebrate on 11 February, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In his message John Paul II appeals, in particular, for a reflection on the value of life in all its phases, even its “terminal” ones. In preparation for the Day we are dedicating ample coverage in this bulletin to the debate on euthanasia which involves the Churches and civil society throughout Europe. The most emblematic case is that of the Netherlands where, on 10 April 2001, the country’s Senate finally depenalized euthanasia for terminal patients in situations of particular suffering. The legislation in question also permits juveniles, with the authorization of their parents, to ask for a “painless death”. We discussed all this with the archbishop of Utrecht and president of the Dutch Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Adrianus J. Simonis. What have been the consequences of the approval of the law on euthanasia in the Netherlands? “We fear that tragic abuses may take place as a result of this law. It was presented as a law championing freedom, but in actual fact the risk is that the real wishes of the dying person may not be respected”. What is the Church’s position on this law? “Ever since 1985, when euthanasia began to be discussed in Holland, the Church has declared its firm opposition. It has made many public declarations on the matter and published various letters and documents to oppose the approval of any legislation favourable to euthanasia. Parliament discussed the matter but in the end did not take the Church’s views into any consideration at all”. Are there many physicians who practice conscientious objection as regards euthanasia? “This is a field covered by confidentiality. I know for sure that there are doctors who are conscientious objectors but I don’t know how many there are”. There’ll be political elections for the renewal of Parliament next May. Will the Church urge a reform of the law? “Our hope is that the next Parliament will be amenable to reviewing the law. Unfortunately, for eight consecutive years we have had secular governments, without the participation of Christians. So the Church has been little heeded. We hope that with the next elections there’ll be greater scope for Christians in government”. Do you fear that an anti-life mentality is spreading in Europe? “I fear that’s the case. Unfortunately, in Western society we are witnessing a grave moral crisis that has its roots in the lack of faith in God, understood as person. People commonly affirm that they believe in ‘something’. But God is not something, rather he is ‘someone’: He who gave us life through our parents. This faith has been lost by many”. What can the Church do to react to this moral crisis that is, in essence, a crisis of faith? “She must proclaim continuously, and tirelessly, the immense value of each human life as a gift of God. And since life is a gift of God, we must never tire of recalling that we have the responsibility to protect and preserve it”. Are the Christian churches united in the defence of life? “Undoubtedly all the Churches are pro-life, but there are different positions on the individual problems. It is therefore difficult, in our country, to realize a common front of the Christian churches on issues concerning the protection of life”. Do you think that an eventual European constitution ought to affirm the right to life? “Human life ought to be protected from the moment of conception to that of natural death, because the decision when life should begin and end can only rest with God”. Ignazio Ingrao