French bishops urge Catholic health centres to refuse assisted dying and update their policies

French bishops have issued a letter to the directors and staff of Catholic-inspired health centres, inviting them to continue their work of accompanying and caring for the sick at the end of life. The letter was addressed to these institutions at the close of the plenary assembly of the Episcopal Conference, held in Lourdes from 3 to 8 November. Titled “We want to support and encourage them,” the document praises the work of caring for the sick and for families who are sometimes overwhelmed by complex situations at the end of life (Psalm 34:18).

The bishops refer to the law on the development of palliative care, which the source says was approved almost unanimously at the end of May. They also address a new law on “assisted death,” which legalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide. According to the source, that law was promulgated in August and is expected to enter into force in January 2027, once the implementing decrees are finalized.

In the letter, the Episcopal Conference encourages Catholic health centres to remain faithful witnesses to the care of patients and to respect fundamental human values. It asks them to refrain from behaviours that are clearly morally unlawful, “in virtue of the dignity of all human life.” The bishops cite Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit to France, during which, the source reports, he spoke at the Élysée Palace about his concern over excesses in societies that risk turning science and technology into lucrative enterprises, including practices such as genetic manipulation, surrogacy, organ procurement, or offering a planned death. The conference states its clear disapproval of euthanasia and assisted suicide as morally illicit acts.

The bishops also urge institutions to prepare, at both institutional and legal levels, to use the reservation recognized by the Constitutional Council, which allows them to refuse an act of “assistance to die” within their facilities. The letter says it is urgent that institutions update their legal and administrative frameworks, including statutes and internal regulations. The source also refers to Belgium, where a conscience clause provided for in a 2002 law was abolished in 2020. One argument offered for that change was the poor management of the clause. The source states that this matter must be handled with rigour and competence.

The letter notes that some institutions have asked the Episcopal Conference for guidance on certain aspects of implementing the law. The bishops state that a comprehensive document of doctrinal and pastoral character is to be published in 2027 for health centre administrators, health personnel, chaplains and pastoral agents. Until then, they say, they will respond promptly to questions received, while acknowledging that they cannot replace the discernment of conscience that each person must exercise, and that some questions depend on the forthcoming implementing decrees and later guidance letters.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)