Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF), told Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, September 27, of his "
concern
" about a possible evolution of legislation on the end of life, a subject about which the Head of State "
does not want to divide
".
“
We told him of our concern that by opening up a new right, we give the impression that, ultimately, society wants to encourage some to give up living
,” the Archbishop of Reims told AFP after an interview with AFP. “
one hour
” of a CEF delegation with the Head of State.
This meeting took place two weeks after the publication of the opinion of the National Consultative Ethics Committee, which ruled that “
active assistance in dying
” could apply in France, but “
under certain strict conditions
”.
Read alsoGuillaume Tabard: “Retirements, end of life: when the method is also a subject of debate”
A debate will now begin, in particular within a Citizens' Convention, "
constituted in October
", which will deliver its conclusions in "
March 2023
".
The executive also receives all the actors concerned, including, since last Wednesday, the various worship leaders.
The president "
explained to us the need to have different levels of debate and his desire not to divide French society on this subject
", affirmed the man of the Church.
Case of incurable diseases
According to him, Emmanuel Macron "
said he was completely determined to take into account what will come out of the debates in its various components
".
During the interview, the episcopate also underlined “
the importance
” given “
to the development
” and “
the effectiveness of palliative care, which is still very poorly distributed in France
”.
The Head of State “
shares this concern, overall, but he insists on the need today to reflect on the case of people who are conscious but suffer from an incurable disease, who, freely, after having spoken to their family and with the agreement of the doctors, considers that they do not want to live the last months that they have left
”.
Read alsoEnd of life: before a new citizens' convention, the elders point out past mistakes
Eric de Moulins-Beaufort also described the "
processes put in place, or in progress
", within the Catholic Church of France since the Sauvé report which, almost a year ago, had documented the extent of child abuse in the Church for 70 years.
The 2021 law known as “
against separatism
”, which according to the Christian Churches undermines freedom of worship, or the situation “
in Armenia and Ukraine
” were also on the menu for discussion.
