New Vatican Healthcare Manual opening door to euthanasia?
Is the Vatican opening the door to euthanasia? See here
For the Nazis, "euthanasia" (which is translated as "good death") represented a euphemistic term for a clandestine murder program created for the systematic killing of mentally and physically disabled patients living in institutional settings throughout Germany. The National Socialist's "Euthanasia" program would set the stage for the Holocaust: the mass murder of Jews and others who were deemed either racially inferior or ideologically unsuitable. In the words of Dr. Leo Alexander, Chief U.S. Medical Consultant at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials: 'Whatever proportions these crimes finally assumed, it became evident to all who investigated them that they had started from small beginnings."
For the Nazis, "euthanasia" (which is translated as "good death") represented a euphemistic term for a clandestine murder program created for the systematic killing of mentally and physically disabled patients living in institutional settings throughout Germany. The National Socialist's "Euthanasia" program would set the stage for the Holocaust: the mass murder of Jews and others who were deemed either racially inferior or ideologically unsuitable. In the words of Dr. Leo Alexander, Chief U.S. Medical Consultant at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials: 'Whatever proportions these crimes finally assumed, it became evident to all who investigated them that they had started from small beginnings."
Dr. Alexander referred to "a subtle shift in emphasis in the basic attitude of physicians." These physicians came to accept the notion that there is such a thing as a life not worthy to be lived.
We are witnessing what appears to be a similar "subtle shift in emphasis" with regard to human life in our own time. The new Vatican Healthcare Manual is a reason for concern.
In his Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, Pope John Paul II reminded us that:
"Authentic democracy is possible only in a State ruled by law, and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person. It requires that the necessary conditions be present for the advancement both of the individual through education and formation in true ideals, and of the "subjectivity" of society through the creation of structures of participation and shared responsibility. Nowadays there is a tendency to claim that agnosticism and sceptical relativism are the philosophy and the basic attitude which correspond to democratic forms of political life. Those who are convinced that they know the truth and firmly adhere to it are considered unreliable from a democratic point of view, since they do not accept that truth is determined by the majority, or that it is subject to variation according to different political trends. It must be observed in this regard that if there is no ultimate truth to guide and direct political activity, then ideas and convictions can easily be manipulated for reasons of power. As history demonstrates, a democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism."
We ignore this warning at our own peril
Vatican presents its new "Letter to health workers"
On more than one occasion, it has been questioned what practices
are, and are not ethical. Euthanasia, cloning, and tissue freezing have
played host to hundreds of bio-ethical debates.
With the upcoming World Day of the Sick, to be held on February 11 in Lourdes,
the Vatican has presented the New Charter to health workers. The text
explains which medical procedures respect the dignity of people.
One of its authors is the surgeon and director of the Institute of Bioethics, Antonio Spagnolo.
ANTONIO G. SPAGNOLO
Director Institute of Bioethics
"It
was necessary to update what possible new therapies regarding
suffering, such as conjugal sterility or suffering linked to tumors,
etc., are faithful to the Tradition and the Magisterium.”
This letter maintains the essence of the previous one, written in 1994,
which is divided into three chapters: to reproduce, to live, and to
die. It is revised and updated in order to adapt to today's times and
current needs.
It rejects euthanasia and
genetic manipulation, but it does not believe that freezing ovarian
tissue due to oncological therapies is a violation of human dignity.
PROF. ANTONIO G. SPAGNOLO
Director Institute of Bioethics
"There
are classes on Medical Ethics and Bioethics, so in these classes it
would be possible to refer to the documents. However, the most important
thing is to apply these principles to the patient who is bedridden, not
just remembering them in university classrooms."
The Vatican's head of biomedical issues considers this new letter so important that he relates it to the Ten Commandments.
MONS. JEAN-MARIE MUPENDAWATU
Department for Development
"This
letter has no other purpose: to teach how to love God, to love the life
of God, and the life of the brothers, which means also love our life.”
Many are unaware, but the first to receive and read this new letter to health assistants was the same Pope Francis. A doctor of souls.