His Holiness is bound to speak on this matter, regardless of his own intimate opinion, as the leader of the Catholic Church, the Vicar of Christ.
As far as we know, Christ never euthanized anyone. Even in cases which, in ancient context, were as grave as vegetative state (such as leprosy and insanity), Christ made an effort to heal them. The precedent was set: his followers healed people, rather than give up on them, to this day.
Catholic belief is that human life does not belong to the person; it belongs to God. Human beings cannot give themselves life, neither then can they take it, be it their own or other's.
I daresay it's not fear of death that motivated this declaration from John Paul II, but rather fear of the growing idea that human life is not sacred and can be disposed of when no longer considered "worthy". This idea is not exclusive to Catholics.
Fantastic. Does that mean the Vatican will be helping families pay the catastrophic medical bills of keeping a person alive, for years or decades, when there is literally no hope of recovery?
You certainly destroyed that poor straw man. Poor thing, it never had a chance...
Proverbial mixing of proverbial fruits.
- His Holiness is bound to speak on this matter, regardless of his own intimate opinion, as the leader of the Catholic Church, the Vicar of Christ.
- As far as we know, Christ never euthanized anyone. Even in cases which, in ancient context, were as grave as vegetative state (such as leprosy and insanity), Christ made an effort to heal them. The precedent was set: his followers healed people, rather than give up on them, to this day.
- Catholic belief is that human life does not belong to the person; it belongs to God. Human beings cannot give themselves life, neither then can they take it, be it their own or other's.
- I daresay it's not fear of death that motivated this declaration from John Paul II, but rather fear of the growing idea that human life is not sacred and can be disposed of when no longer considered "worthy". This idea is not exclusive to Catholics.
You certainly destroyed that poor straw man. Poor thing, it never had a chance...