U.S. Bishops Approve Physician Assisted Suicide Statement

At its recently concluded Spring General Assembly in Bellevue, Washington, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve a statement on physician assisted suicide, To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician Assisted Suicide, with 191 votes in favor, 1 against and no abstentions. This document is the first statement on assisted suicide by the full body of the Conference.

"After years of relative inaction following legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon in 1994, the assisted suicide movement has shown a strong resurgence in activity," said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, in a recent statement. "This renewed effort has led to the passage of an Oregon-style law in Washington by popular referendum in November 2008, a state supreme court decision essentially declaring that assisted suicide is not against public policy in Montana, and concerted efforts to pass legislation in several New England and Western states. The Church needs to respond in a timely and visible way to this renewed challenge, which will surely be pursued in a number of states in the years to come."

To access a copy of the full statement, please visit:

USCCB: To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide (16 JUN 11)

Background fact sheet:

USCCB: Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: From Voluntary to Involuntary

Reflection on the Bishops' statement:

Msgr. Charles Pope: Death is No Therapy At All. The Bishops Speak Well Against Physician Assisted Suicide (17 JUN 11)