Frankfurt (Germany), Nov 19 (LaPresse) – Following the death of twins Alice and Ellen Kessler, who chose assisted suicide, the German Bishops' Conference (Dbk) has reaffirmed its critical stance on this practice. "The German Bishops' Conference generally does not comment on personal cases. What remains fundamental is the position expressed in the 2021 statement from the Permanent Council," a spokesperson for the Dbk told LaPresse. In the 2021 statement, the Permanent Council of Bishops had thoroughly discussed the issue of assisted suicide after the 2020 ruling by the German Constitutional Court, which paved the way for new regulations in Germany. While recognizing the value of personal autonomy, the bishops emphasized that this cannot make assisted suicide ethically acceptable. The Dbk also pointed out that many desires for death stem from fear, loneliness, depression, or extreme situations and cannot therefore be regarded as fully free decisions. For this reason, according to the bishops, the appropriate response is not to facilitate access to assisted suicide, but to strengthen palliative care, psychological support, and pastoral assistance. The Bishops' Conference also warned of the risk of implicit pressure on the sick or elderly, who may feel like a burden and be pushed to choose death. At the core of the Church's position, according to the statement from the German bishops, is the belief that life always maintains its dignity, even "in the darkest moments," and that efforts should focus on ensuring a humane, assisted, and pain-free end of life for the sick.
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