Italian bishops oppose assisted suicide legislation

Bishops from the Triveneto Episcopal Conference have unanimously issued a declaration opposing assisted suicide following new legislation in the Veneto region. Meeting in Bibione, the religious leaders stated that there is “no right to die,” arguing instead for a right to be continuously cared for and accompanied. They expressed concern that assisted suicide shifts the healthcare culture away from the ethics of care and proximity.

The declaration emphasizes that true progress in civilization is found in alleviating suffering through palliative care, pain management, and psychological support rather than the suppression of life. The bishops urged a focus on dignity and the support of families and caregivers during terminal stages.

In a similar vein, the Pugliese Episcopal Conference also released a statement calling for a “culture of care and dignity.” They urged political institutions to prioritize the strengthening of hospice services, palliative care, and pain therapy to ensure that no patient feels forced to request death due to isolation or unmanaged suffering.