The bishop of Hildesheim, mgr. Norbert Trelle, said he was "deeply upset" at the news relayed by the Swiss organisation Dignitas that they seem to have found a retired doctor who is willing to practise euthanasia on a seriously-ill man in Germany. "I am extremely disappointed that a doctor says he is willing to promote suicide, which is against any medical ethics whatsoever", stated Trelle. "Our society can by no means let anyone breach the ban on active euthanasia", he added. "Such a position would contradict the Christian image of a dignified death and neglect God’s Commandment of serving and protecting life". The bishop joins the appeals made by the working community of the Hospices of the Lower Saxony Land for the development of an assistance network for seriously- and terminally-ill people to prevent the use of euthanasia as a solution. "Because of this he concluded , I make an appeal to all the political leaders, that the indubitable sufferings of many people may be fought against by giving more support to palliative medicine and to the work of the hospices".
