Avila, Spain, Nov 19, 2008 / 04:49 pm (CNA).- The president emeritus of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, criticized the practice of embryo selection this week and called it a “legitimization of an abuse,” similar to euthanasia, and said the Church would continue to use “all peaceful means” to “educate society” to keep politicians from assuming the right to decide on matters of life and death.

During a speech at the University of Avila in Spain, Bishop Sgreccia criticized the decision by Italy’s Supreme Court to authorize euthanasia for a 37 year-old woman who is in a vegetative state and whose family wants to disconnect her feeding tube.

He said the court “does not have the authority” to allow the death of Eluana Englaro because “life does not belong to the patient, the doctor, society or the court.” 

He also referred to the case of a Spanish couple that has conceived a child in order to cure their other son his who is sick, saying they “had no right” to do so, and that selecting embryos and creating a baby to help cure another person is “the legitimization of an abuse.”

02:58 pm | Liturgical vestments sent to Haiti to revive liturgical life

02:54 pm | Benedict XVI decides against alpine summer vacation

01:13 pm | Pope gives full support to German bishops' plan for responding to abuses

12:57 pm | Cuban dissident urges political prisoner to cease hunger strike

12:08 pm | Solid priestly identity essential as secularism grows, Pope tells priests

Vatican cardinal pleads for life of Italian 'Terri Schiavo'

Fear of suffering the 'motor' of promoters of euthanasia, writer explains

Supreme Court authorizes euthanasia for Italian 'Terri Schiavo'

Colombian bishop calls euthanasia law grave attack on life