U.S. Bishops’ Policy Statement on Assisted Suicide

On June 16, 2011, the U.S. bishops approved a document on assisted suicide, which became their first collective word on the matter. The statement, entitled “To Live Each Day with Dignity,” refutes the idea that assisted suicide is a compassionate form of medical treatment.

The document required 180 positive votes from the bishops and received 191.

In “To Live Each Day with Dignity,” the bishops define true compassion as “meeting patients’ needs and … a commitment to their equal worth.” This mentality contrasts sharply with physician-assisted suicide’s elimination of the patient, as a means of ending suffering.

Read the “To Live Each Day with Dignity” document HERE

Visit the USCCB “To Live Each Day with Dignity” resource page HERE