Washington D.C., Jun 1, 2011 / 22:36 pm
The U.S. bishops will debate and vote on a statement that strongly opposes physician assisted suicide--one of the most controversial topics in American society.
“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, head of the bishops' pro-life committee.
“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,” he said.
The bishops will vote on a document on doctor-assisted suicide at their June 15-17 spring assembly in Seattle. The statement, “To Live Each Day with Dignity,” will be the first official stance taken on the issue by the full body of the U.S. bishops' conference.