French lawmakers passed a landmark bill to legalize medically assisted dying, however, it awaits final constitutional review. The Catholic Bishops of France issued a statement of grave concern:
End-of-life law passed: faced with a radical choice, renewing our commitment to the service of life
July 15, 2026, marks a serious turning point in our country's history. By choosing to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, members of parliament have enshrined in French law the possibility of causing death. This choice breaks with the long tradition of care whose purpose is to alleviate suffering and accompany each person to the natural end of their life.
For the past four years, together with the bishops of France, we have participated seriously and responsibly in the debate on end-of-life care , expressing our convictions and engaging in dialogue with all. Drawing on the Church's centuries-old experience in accompanying the sick, the dying, and their families, we have been committed to sharing our reflections on the dignity of all human life. The President of the Republic had announced a calm, informed, and respectful debate, but it is clear that political, ideological, and undoubtedly even economic considerations, disguised by misleading rhetoric, have thwarted this ambition. A question so fundamental to our social contract deserved that the human, medical, ethical, and social consequences of euthanasia and assisted suicide be fully considered.
The effects of such legislation are not yet fully measured, but they are already taking shape. Our relationship to vulnerability, old age, disability, and illness will change. The bond of trust between generations, as well as between caregivers, patients, and their families, will be weakened, and society's perception of frailty will be damaged. The poorest are likely to be the first to pay the price: not wanting to be a burden on their children or grandchildren, elderly people in precarious situations may feel pressured to die. Furthermore, the experience of other countries shows that the criteria for accessing assisted dying tend to broaden, to the detriment of palliative care.
Beyond disapproval, this vote of July 15th therefore calls us to a renewed commitment, with families, caregivers, volunteers, relatives, associations, chaplains, to bear witness that another way is possible, that of a faithful presence and attentive support which soothes physical or psychological suffering, without ever abandoning anyone.
The Conference of Bishops of France expresses its profound gratitude to all those who, every day, serve the sick, the disabled, the elderly, and those nearing the end of life. It also encourages Catholic healthcare institutions to be faithful witnesses to the essential ethical attention to respect for fundamental human values, by refraining from behavior that is clearly morally reprehensible, in accordance with the dignity of all human life.
Finally, it will closely monitor the announced referrals to the Constitutional Council as well as voluntary contributions from associations, in order to guarantee in particular respect for the ethics of establishments engaged in supporting people at the end of their lives and which exclude the use of euthanasia or assisted suicide.
The Catholics of France, along with many other men and women of goodwill, believers or not, will continue to serve life. They will do so animated by the firm hope given to them by the Gospel, without a spirit of resignation or confrontation, convinced that the greatness of a society never lies in giving death to the most vulnerable, or allowing them to take their own lives, but rather in accompanying them, with genuine fraternity, to the very end. For Christ, in whom they believe, came so that the world might have life.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, Vice-President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise, Vice-President of the Conference of Bishops of France
July 15, 2026, marks a serious turning point in our country's history. By choosing to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, members of parliament have enshrined in French law the possibility of causing death. This choice breaks with the long tradition of care whose purpose is to alleviate suffering and accompany each person to the natural end of their life.
For the past four years, together with the bishops of France, we have participated seriously and responsibly in the debate on end-of-life care , expressing our convictions and engaging in dialogue with all. Drawing on the Church's centuries-old experience in accompanying the sick, the dying, and their families, we have been committed to sharing our reflections on the dignity of all human life. The President of the Republic had announced a calm, informed, and respectful debate, but it is clear that political, ideological, and undoubtedly even economic considerations, disguised by misleading rhetoric, have thwarted this ambition. A question so fundamental to our social contract deserved that the human, medical, ethical, and social consequences of euthanasia and assisted suicide be fully considered.
The effects of such legislation are not yet fully measured, but they are already taking shape. Our relationship to vulnerability, old age, disability, and illness will change. The bond of trust between generations, as well as between caregivers, patients, and their families, will be weakened, and society's perception of frailty will be damaged. The poorest are likely to be the first to pay the price: not wanting to be a burden on their children or grandchildren, elderly people in precarious situations may feel pressured to die. Furthermore, the experience of other countries shows that the criteria for accessing assisted dying tend to broaden, to the detriment of palliative care.
Beyond disapproval, this vote of July 15th therefore calls us to a renewed commitment, with families, caregivers, volunteers, relatives, associations, chaplains, to bear witness that another way is possible, that of a faithful presence and attentive support which soothes physical or psychological suffering, without ever abandoning anyone.
The Conference of Bishops of France expresses its profound gratitude to all those who, every day, serve the sick, the disabled, the elderly, and those nearing the end of life. It also encourages Catholic healthcare institutions to be faithful witnesses to the essential ethical attention to respect for fundamental human values, by refraining from behavior that is clearly morally reprehensible, in accordance with the dignity of all human life.
Finally, it will closely monitor the announced referrals to the Constitutional Council as well as voluntary contributions from associations, in order to guarantee in particular respect for the ethics of establishments engaged in supporting people at the end of their lives and which exclude the use of euthanasia or assisted suicide.
The Catholics of France, along with many other men and women of goodwill, believers or not, will continue to serve life. They will do so animated by the firm hope given to them by the Gospel, without a spirit of resignation or confrontation, convinced that the greatness of a society never lies in giving death to the most vulnerable, or allowing them to take their own lives, but rather in accompanying them, with genuine fraternity, to the very end. For Christ, in whom they believe, came so that the world might have life.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, Vice-President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise, Vice-President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Source: https://eglise.catholique.fr/espace-presse/communiques-de-presse/572621-vote-fin-de-vie-reaction-eveque-france/
Comments