Liguria, the parish priest of Bonassola: “For a Catholic it is permissible to have an opening on euthanasia”

“I think that for a Catholic it is legitimate to have an openness towards euthanasia and therefore the possibility of having a law that regulates it”. Thus Don Giulio Mignani, parish priest of Bonassola (La Spezia) speaking in the debate “Euthanasia and democracy. How to obtain respect for the freedom of choice on one’s end of life?” organized by the Luca Coscioni association. Don Giulio in the past had spoken out in favor of civil unions between homosexuals, opening the rainbow to families, and had criticized the antigender counter of the Liguria Region. A year ago he did not bless the palms as a form of protest against the document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which prohibits the blessing of the unions of same-sex couples. “This type of openness – continued the priest speaking of euthanasia – can certainly come from a materialistic vision of life but also from a spiritual vision. It may seem absurd but instead it is a great respect for life. If I want to respect the life of human being I must respect not only his biological life, which passes through the body, but also his spiritual life which passes through freedom, his capacity for self-determination. So if I want to respect a person, I must also respect his freedom “. Don Giulio was also among the signatories of the referendum on legal eutanaisa.

“If the vast majority of Italians want a law on euthanasia and this is not done – underlines Marco Cappato, treasurer of the Luca Coscioni association – then there is a great problem of democracy. The battle over the law goes on, we continue to help people to get help to die. And we are also ready to face the risk of trials. We will win the battle. What I believe is that the degradation of our institutions is more dangerous and that is not to have decisions in decent times on matters that they concern all citizens “.