French bishops launch novena urging prayer against euthanasia bill

The Conference of French Bishops began an eight‑day novena from 21 June to 29 June, calling on Catholics to pray for the dignity of human life as the French National Assembly prepares a vote on a bill that would legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide on 30 June. The bishops read a prayer intent at Mass and announced eight specific intentions, urging believers to add the "Our Father," "Hail Mary" and "Glory be to the Father" to their daily prayers.

In their statement, the bishops condemned what they called "moral imprudence" and a "lack of respect for democracy," noting the Senate had approved a palliative‑care text but rejected the assisted‑suicide proposal, highlighting a split among parliamentarians. They recalled Pope Leo XIV’s 8 June remarks that "the defence of human life… must be protected from conception to natural death."