The Christian Churches of the Czech Republic have joined forces to oppose euthanasia. In a joint document issued in Prague on 9 December, the leaders of the Christian Churches, together with representatives of the Jewish and Moslem communities, expressed their firm opposition to any legalization of euthanasia in the country. “At the centre of our attention says the document we place man and life, which we recognize as a gift of God. We do not place that gift in doubt at a time of illness and suffering. Euthanasia could be practised against a person’s will or on the basis of a desire forced by circumstances”. The joint document was drafted following the adoption of the new penal code of the Czech Republic which in effect makes euthanasia, but not those who practice it, prosecutable. Before it comes into force, the law must still complete its parliamentary procedure: it still has to be voted on by the Senate and receive the endorsement of the President of the Republic, Vaclav Haus, who has expressed misgivings about the article relating to euthanasia. The signatories of the document include Monsignor Jan Graubner, president of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, Pavel Cerny, of the Czech Ecumenical Council, Rabbi Karol Sidol and the president of the Muslim communities Vladimir Sanka.
