Roadblock to euthanasia ” “

The new Austrian Federal Government has appointed a parliamentary commission of inquiry, in conjunction with the Committee on Bioethics at the Federal chancellorship, to examine the possibility of integrating the prohibition of euthanasia within the Constitution. Christian associations have promptly offered full support to the coalition government agreement to ensure access to palliative care and end-of-life. On the prospects and the current debate, in Austria and throughout Europe, Massimo Lavena, for SIR Europe, has interviewed Gerda Schaffelhofer, president of Kaö, Austrian Catholic Action. What’s your opinion on the possibility of laying down the ban on euthanasia within the Constitution?”Catholic Action Austria obviously supports this project by the new government. The coalition Treaty provides for access to palliative care and accompaniment to death. The realization of these projects would be a decisive step in the defence of human dignity and the rights of the terminally ill in Austria. So far, with the confirmation of the ban on euthanasia and the development of accompaniment to death, Austria has successfully opposed the violation of the dignity of the human person at the end of life. This path is substantially supported by committed Christians, as well as by many people of other faiths or ideologies. At the same time, it should be noted that the path leading to an actual integration of the ban within the Constitution is hindered by a set of obstacles, yet to be removed. Once the government has given the green light to a legislative proposal, it must obtain a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Advocacy must ensue in parliament, because the opponents of these projects are actively committed to achieve exactly the opposite, namely the introduction of active euthanasia”. Dignified death and palliative care: how can the public opinion be convinced that you can die with dignity even if you are sick?”The late Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna, Franz König, at the time, coined this extraordinary saying: ‘A person has to die holding the hand of another person, and not because of the hand of another person’. This sentence highlights the value of accompaniment to death, that is, to be close to another human being and to bring comfort. Another important aspect is given by the medical possibilities of mitigating pain. Measures must be adopted in various areas to convince the public and the majority of the population that accompaniment to death and palliative medicine represent a better option compared to active euthanasia. First of all the media must convey updated reports on this issue. Moreover, specific information must be coupled by the testimony of well-known personalities and by the patients’ family members. Another important aspect is the training of doctors and nurses; full, qualified advice for the people involved and their families is also needed. In all these areas the Church can play a proactive role”. The choice not to fall into the temptation of euthanasia has united Christians of different confessions: how can a project of faith today be presented vis a vis the prevailing culture of “waste”?”With the expression ‘culture of waste’, Pope Francis refers to the fact that we are living in a world in which mankind ignores moral values. Anything that is not needed is immediately eliminated, even human life that does not prove to be of use. In Lampedusa the Pope spoke of the ‘globalization of indifference’. According to Francis, this stems from the idea of overriding autonomy, that is, free of any constraint and of the respect for every human being. I believe that more and more people oppose this way of life and we will continue bringing forth our relentless commitment for human dignity and respect”. Several European countries are following the logics of euthanasia: what should be the response of Christian citizens?”If Austria really managed to introduce the prohibition of active euthanasia and of the right to a dignified death within the Constitution, it would be a clear signal to those European countries that provide for the possibility of death on request. From my point of view it is crucial that the fights against active euthanasia is advocated at the level of European institutions and particularly in the EU Parliament, equally demanding that researches and studies in this area are carried out throughout Europe. A ‘no’ to murder will win a majority in each country provided there is a system of adequate and quality hospices providing related palliative care. It should be a commitment of the Churches at national level”.