National Assembly vote moves France toward looser rules on assisted suicide

The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich said it is ‘our duty to reiterate our strong and determined opposition to this legal proposition and all its consequences, known and unknown’.

France moved toward approving loosened rules on assisted suicide and euthanasia as the lower house of parliament voted on Tuesday in its third reading to support a government bill.

This paves the way for acceptance in a final vote on 15 July since the more conservative Senate, which has rejected the National Assembly’s vote twice before, cannot block a third vote by the lower house. The two houses failed to agree on a compromise text.

The bill allows assisted suicide – when the patient takes a supplied death-inducing substance – with an option of euthanasia if unable. The text also includes a conscience clause, meaning the doctor or nurse inducing the death must do so voluntarily.

The vote was 295 for and 232 against the bill. Several deputies who spoke before the vote said their groups were divided on the issue, which has been debated for months.

The bill stipulates that candidates must be at least 18 years old, suffer from a terminal and painful illness and ask to die themselves. Opponents warned that the current law could be loosened in future.

French law currently allows the terminally ill only deep sedation, so they can die without pain. Palliative care, the only other option, is not widely available. President Emmanuel Macron promised in his 2022 re-election campaign to submit an assisted suicide bill.

Following the vote, the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich said it is “our duty to reiterate our strong and determined opposition to this legal proposition and all its consequences, known and unknown”.

The assisted suicide bill’s staunchest supporters back full euthanasia without a conscience clause, while opponents try to set tight limits on how people can die. Even with the proposed bill, death in France will still remain behind the looser rules used in neighbouring Belgium and the Netherlands.

“The Church’s stance on this subject has remained consistent and unchanged for years: as I have stated many times alongside many of my fellow clergy, what our society needs – far more than help to die – is help to live,” Archbishop Ulrich said.

“If there is still a freedom to be won, it is the freedom not to be pushed toward the exit, and to receive all possible care without resorting to obstinate medical treatment. If there is still a right to be recognised, it is the right to be regarded as a living person – a unique story, an indelible dignity – right to the very end.”

He continued: “Today, there is still time to turn back from taking this path which does not lead to a future of fraternity.”

Macron broods over assisted dying law at dinner with faith leaders

The sharp end of assisted dying

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: