Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders sign statement on matters concerning end–of–life

30 Oct 2019

Leaders of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions gathered in the Vatican on 28 October to sign a position paper condemning euthanasia and assisted suicide, and encouraging palliative care. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as well as of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, was among the representatives of the Catholic Church. The initiative was promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life.

On the same day, Pope Francis met with the signatories, who presented him with a copy of the declaration. The signatories included representatives from the Holy See, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of Moscow, Muslim and Jewish scholars and leaders. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, stressed the importance of the ecumenical and interreligious dimension of the joint initiative, affirming that it promoted discovering areas of convergence and bringing fruits of communion in order to render a service to all people in whom “we all see sons and daughters of God”. 

 

Photos © Pontifical Academy for Life