• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Pope Francis is interviewed by Carlos Herrera of COPE, the radio network owned by the Spanish bishops' conference, at the Vatican in late August. In a 90-minute interview, the pope addressed the situation in Afghanistan, the legalization of euthanasia in Spain and the question of Catalan independence. He also spoke about his own health. (CNS photo/courtesy COPE)

Pope: Euthanasia legislation in Europe is sign of ‘throwaway culture’

September 3, 2021
By Junno Arocho Esteves
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Increasing calls to legalize euthanasia in several European countries, as well as the disregard for vulnerable people and the unborn, are signs of a “throwaway culture” that is gaining ground across the continent, Pope Francis said.

“What is (deemed) useless is discarded. Old people are disposable material; they are a nuisance. Not all of them, but of course, in the collective subconscious of the throwaway culture, the old, the terminally ill, and unwanted children, too; they are returned to the sender before they are born,” the pope said in an interview with COPE, the radio station owned by the Spanish bishops’ conference, broadcast Sept. 1.

“This throwaway culture has marked us. And it marks the young and the old. It has a strong influence on one of the tragedies of today’s European culture,” he said.

In March, Spain’s parliament passed a law legalizing euthanasia in the country, making it the fourth European country to legalize physician-assisted suicide after Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Other European countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland and Norway, allow for what is known as “passive euthanasia,” in which patients, under strict circumstances, can elect to not receive treatments, such as nutrition or hydration, that would prolong their lives.

Recently, in Italy, 750,000 people signed a petition to abolish a clause in the Italian criminal code that makes assisted suicide punishable by five to 12 years in prison.

Supporters of euthanasia, the pope said, often use “the idea of compassion, ‘that this person may not suffer.’ But what the church is asking is to help people to die with dignity. This has always been done.”

Pope Francis also lamented “the demographic winter” in Europe, particularly due to increased cases of abortion.

The pope said that while he does “not like to enter into discussions” on whether abortions are “possible up to here or whether it is not possible up to there,” what is indisputable is the existence of human life.

“Any embryology manual given to a student in medical school says that by the third week of conception, sometimes before the mother realizes (that she is pregnant), all the organs in the embryo are already outlined, even the DNA. It is a life, a human life.

“Some say, ‘It’s not a person.’ It is a human life!” he continued. “So, in front of a human life, I ask myself two questions: Is it licit to eliminate a human life to solve a problem, is it fair to eliminate a human life to solve a problem? Second question: Is it fair to hire an assassin to solve a problem?”

During the interview, the pope was also asked by COPE about the migration crisis in Europe and what approach should be taken by countries skeptical of welcoming those who cross into their borders.

Pope Francis emphasized the need for countries, especially in Europe, to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrants.

Citing the 2016 terrorist attack in Zaventem, Belgium, the pope noted that those who committed the attack were Belgian-born “children of immigrants who were not integrated” into society.

He also highlighted the need for “dialogue between nations” and that countries must be “honest with themselves” and see how many migrants they can accept into their territory.

“And then there is also a reality regarding migrants — I have already referred to it, but I’ll repeat it — the reality of the demographic winter. Italy has almost empty villages,” Pope Francis said.

“What are you waiting for, to be left with no one? It is a reality. In other words, migration is a help as long as our steps toward integration are fulfilled. That is my position. But of course, a country must be very honest and say: ‘this is as far as I can go,'” he said.

Read more on Vatican

Stepping down: Experts draft proposed laws on status of a retired pope

Desire for eternal youth is ‘delusional,’ pope says

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, pope tells young people

Cardinal Tomko, oldest member of College of Cardinals, dies at 98

Vatican reports $3.3 million deficit was significantly less than expected

Ambassador says pope will visit Ukraine before Kazakhstan trip

Copyright © 2021 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Junno Arocho Esteves

Catholic News Service is a leading agency for religious news. Its mission is to report fully, fairly and freely on the involvement of the church in the world today.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Anna’s Gift Foundation helps hope bloom for hospitalized children

Young adults from Archdiocese of Baltimore invited to experience local and international World Youth Day events

Archdiocese of Baltimore welcomes new school leaders

RADIO INTERVIEW: Camp St. Vincent

Archbishop Lori decries Biden executive order, ‘continued promotion of abortion’

Latest World News

Health care workers denied religious exemption on vaccine win settlement

Stepping down: Experts draft proposed laws on status of a retired pope

Catholic prayers for peace interrupted after alleged assault on officer

Baltimore native Babe Ruth and former Oriole Brooks Robinson among winners in balloting for Catholic baseball all-star team

Overturning of Roe provides ‘chance to win fight for life,’ says top Knight

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Health care workers denied religious exemption on vaccine win settlement
  • Stepping down: Experts draft proposed laws on status of a retired pope
  • Catholic prayers for peace interrupted after alleged assault on officer
  • Baltimore native Babe Ruth and former Oriole Brooks Robinson among winners in balloting for Catholic baseball all-star team
  • Anna’s Gift Foundation helps hope bloom for hospitalized children
  • Young adults from Archdiocese of Baltimore invited to experience local and international World Youth Day events
  • Overturning of Roe provides ‘chance to win fight for life,’ says top Knight
  • Desire for eternal youth is ‘delusional,’ pope says
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore welcomes new school leaders

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2022 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED