Vatican Wrong to Judge Brittany Maynard for Her End-of-Life Choice, Says Minister
Says Catholic Church Should Not Impose Its Religious Beliefs on Non-Catholics
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Compassion & Choices issued the following statement in response to a Vatican official's condemnation of Brittany Maynard for choosing to die with dignity.
"Brittany Maynard was not Catholic," said Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera, a board member of Compassion & Choices. "People of faith are free to follow their own beliefs and consciences. But it is wrong to use the police power of government to impose a set of religious beliefs on people who do not share them. It is not the American way."
"Even many Catholics disagree with the Vatican on numerous issues, ranging from birth control - to a woman's right to choose - to end-of-life choice," added Rev. Castuera.
For example, Rev. Castuera said the 86-year-old Roman Catholic theologian, Hans Kueng, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease, wrote in his memoirs:
"No person is obligated to suffer the unbearable as something sent from God. People can decide this for themselves and no priest, doctor or judge can stop them."
Compassion & Choices is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. Leading the end-of-life choice movement for more than 30 years, we support, educate and advocate. More information is available at: www.compassionandchoices.org.
Contact: Sean Crowley, 202-495-8520-c, [email protected]
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SOURCE Compassion & Choices
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http://CompassionAndChoices.org
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