Respecting All Life
By Maia Torres Calixto
In this month of January, we pray a novena for life from January 16–24, 2026. On day eight, the intention is “May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance” (USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities). But what does “every stage and circumstance” in human life mean to us as Catholics? This encompasses not just abortion, which impacts the preborn, but also euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the death penalty. The Church promotes the right to life from conception to natural death, and all of the above directly attack this right. Euthanasia is an issue that is extremely prevalent in society. It is a matter between life and death, and this article will look into what euthanasia is and what the Church says about it.
So, what is euthanasia?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.”
This definition has red flags everywhere. The first is the choice of the word “hopelessly.” As Catholics, we are pilgrims of hope. There is never a reason to believe people should be left behind or left to die because of their situation. The second troubling word is “mercy.” St. Pope John Paul II wrote, “‘As well as for reasons of a misguided pity at the sight of the patient's suffering,’ he wrote, ‘euthanasia is sometimes justified by the utilitarian motive of avoiding costs which bring no return and which weigh heavily on society.’ Thus, he continued, ‘it is proposed to eliminate malformed babies, the severely handicapped, the disabled, the elderly, especially when they are not self-sufficient, and the terminally ill'” (Amedeo Lomonaco).
This is not a situation where people are given love and mercy to a life others deem “less than.” Can their lives be unfair? Yes. But that does not mean others get to decide when those lives should end. Euthanasia is disguised under a veil as a humane choice, but on the contrary, it is a deadly one. It extinguishes a life that God created in His image.
In the Catechism, the Church states it clearly, “Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible. Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable” (CCC 2276-2277).
There is no mercy and no charity in euthanasia. Those who are suffering deserve compassionate medical care, accompaniment, and dignity, not a death sentence. Their lives are just as valuable as the lives of those who are healthy.
There is no mercy, no charity in Euthanasia. They deserve the medical care that is needed, not a death sentence. Their lives are just as valuable as those of someone who is healthy.
What is the difference between Assisted Suicide?
Assisted Suicide is usually debated in the context of medical professionals and specifically called physician-assisted suicide, which the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as “suicide by a patient facilitated by means (such as a drug prescription) or by information (such as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent”
The Catechism states, “Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him… We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of… Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self… Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law” (CCC 2280-2282). Just like with euthanasia, the Church does not support assisted suicide.
Pope Leo XIV reached out to the Illinois governor, his home state, about not signing an assisted suicide bill, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which was signed into law on Dec 12, 2025 (New York Post).
There are many ways to support the effort of life, one is offering some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for day 8 intention: “May civic leaders work for the protection of all human life, in every stage and circumstance” (USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities).
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