Detroit, Mich., Jun 1, 2007 / 08:49 am
In light of Jack Kevorkian’s release from prison today, the Archdiocese of Detroit has pledged to continue its efforts on behalf of patients, families and caregivers “to increase the knowledge and availability of medically and morally sound options for end-of-life decision-making.”
“For 10 years, Jack Kevorkian’s actions resembled those of a pathological serial killer. It will be truly regrettable if he’s now treated as a celebrity parolee instead of the convicted murderer he is,” said Ned McGrath, diocesan director of communications.
Addressing Kevorkian’s mentality, Sr. Monica Kostielney, RSM, president of the Michigan Catholic Conference, said, “Assisted suicide represents an affront to the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity - all of which must be repudiated by elected officials and people of good will who seek to protect life from its beginning to its natural end.”
“Any legislative effort to decriminalize assisted suicide in this state will face the same demise as the 1998 ballot issue that was overwhelmingly rejected by a three to one margin,” said Sr. Kostielney in a statement issued to coincide with Kevorkian’s release.