NML

• Aquinas in effect rejected any form of euthanasia or suicide
• What does it say Summa Theologica?

  "ultimate and most fearsome evil of this life is death"
• Life is God's gift to humans, so is subject to his power
• Neither can be justified as they reject which primary precepts?

  • preserving life
  • living in an ordered society - fear of following the Netherlands' legalising both which may open the doors to compulsory euthanasia
• Where does the Catholic Church stand?

  • 1980 Declaration on Euthanasia: reinforces Aquinas' view
  • Ignore the value of suffering for salvation (Christ on the cross)
• E/g case of Chantel Sebire 


  • Refused the right to die by the French court
  • Suffered from a disfiguring brain tumour
  • Found dead by her own act