Mexican Bishops Stand Against Euthanasia amid Divided Public Views

In the light of the proposals presented by the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) in Mexico seeking to decriminalise euthanasia, a debate has been provoked amongst the public. Despite the divided social opinions, the influential Mexican Catholic Bishops declared Thursday their stern opposition towards euthanasia.

The Mexican Bishops' Conference, or the CEM, representing some 120 bishops, said it sought a law protecting life "from the moment of conception until natural death", at the end of its General Assembly, according to Reuters.

Bishop Francisco Javier Chavolla, who leads the Diocese of Toluca near Mexico City, made the major statement on the news conference. As many pro-choice campaigners argued that it is a simple part of human rights to choose to end a life, Chavolla said, "The right to death does not exist."

"Today we have numerous methods of strengthening human capacities and reducing physical pain. We cannot intervene for anybody's death, even in extremely painful situations."

The tragedy of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman, was cited by the conference as an example to show the risk of allowing euthanasia. Schiavo’s husband claimed that she would not want to be kept alive artificially and therefore should have her feeding tube removed. On the other hand, Schiavo’s parents fought desperately to keep her alive. She died after her feeding tube was removed and reconnected a few times as the court reviewed the appeals from both sides.

Matehuala Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar said to the Thursday conference, "Terri Schiavo was a human being and should have been treated with dignity. Her death was provoked. We must respect and defend human life."

Mexico is the second-biggest Catholic nations after Brazil. Some 85 percent of Mexicans are Catholic. The Mexican Catholic Church, standing in line with the pro-life Vatican, said that helping anyone to end their life is wrong and that terminally ill people should be encouraged to fight on.

Currently, euthanasia is not allowed in Mexico. However, in May, the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) in the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico has brought out the proposal seeking to legalise "assisted dying". Lawmakers, doctors and academics have imposed pressure on the Government to have a national debate on euthanasia.

A recent poll by Consulta Mitofsky in Mexico which involved 500 Mexican adults, revealed that 57.6 percent of respondents agree with the proposal.

The Mexican Bishops Conference added that it was talking to the government about its ideas for such legislation.