Catholic bishops reaffirm opposition to euthanasia

Ireland’s Catholic bishops have reaffirmed the Church’s opposition to euthanasia, describing it as neither necessary nor morally acceptable.

However, in a booklet launched today, the Irish Bishops Committee for Bioethics said those caring for the dying should not prolong suffering by keeping patients alive at all costs.

The committee also said that death hastened as a result of treatment for necessary pain relief does not count as euthanasia in the Church’s eyes.

It said carers should always choose what is good for the patient, even if this conflicts with requests from the patient or his or her family.