Pope: Euthanasia Strikes at the Heart of Christianity
February 9, 2010 (AFP)
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI told visiting Scottish bishops Friday that euthanasia "strikes at the very heart" of Christianity, as Scotland's parliament considers a bill to allow assisted suicide.
The pope said euthanasia was a sign of "the increasing tide of secularism" in Scotland and urged Catholic leaders there to speak out for their faith.
The bill on assisted suicide was proposed to the Scottish parliament last month by an MP with Parkinson's disease who says the terminally ill must be allowed to seek help to end their life.
Pope Benedict, who will visit England, Wales and Scotland in mid-September, said in a statement that "support for euthanasia strikes at the very heart of the Christian understanding of the dignity of human life."
