Catholics stand idly around and do nothing against new euthanasia law in Switzerland and are proud of it. Francis Catholicism.

Rebhan-Blättler: "We are not doing anything against the planned euthanasia law".

In Nidwalden, too, all homes are to be obliged to allow euthanasia on their premises in future. Parliament has adopted a motion to this effect. The Roman Catholic Church does not want to interfere in this "fundamental question for all residents".

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The Nidwalden parliament approved a motion on euthanasia on Wednesday. According to the motion, all residents of old people's and nursing homes in the canton should have access to euthanasia in future.

In order to guarantee this, the Health Act is to be amended accordingly, according to the motion by Green politician Elena Kaiser.

Motion proposes provisions

According to the motion, "Voluntary termination of life" is to be newly regulated in the Health Act with the concrete provisions:

1. people who are capable of judgement may voluntarily end their lives.

2. they may consult a doctor for this purpose who is prepared to prescribe them the necessary medication in the appropriate dosage and to inform them about its correct use. 3. they live in a health care facility.

3. if they live in a health care facility, they may use the services of third parties for the voluntary termination of life.

Freedom to decide on their own death

Such a legal provision would give nursing home residents the freedom to decide on their own death. They would no longer be dependent on the consent of the home's management, argues Elena Kaiser to the "Nidwaldner Zeitung". It is a matter of personal self-determination.

The Nidwalden government had spoken out against the motion. The legal basis for euthanasia is sufficient. And the use of euthanasia by nursing home residents is "very rare". "Institutions should not be legally obliged to offer assisted suicide," the government council said.

Similar laws in other cantons

In their letter, the petitioner - and her supporters - refer to other cantons that have already adopted laws on assisted suicide in homes and hospitals: Geneva, Neuchâtel, Vaud and Valais.

Dying

In the canton of Valais, all public care institutions have had to allow euthanasia since January 2023 - i.e. public hospitals, old people's and nursing homes and social institutions for people with disabilities. Only private old people's and nursing homes would be allowed to refuse euthanasia on their premises. But there are no such homes, Matthias Salzmann, vice-president of Avalems, the umbrella organisation of Valais nursing homes, told kath.ch.

Questions for Monika Rebhan-Blättler, President of the Small Chamber of the National Church of Nidwalden

What do you from the National Church of Nidwalden have to say about the motion that was passed, according to which all homes and hospitals must allow euthanasia in future?

Monika Rebhan-Blättler: There are people of many different denominations in the homes, including people without a denomination. For this reason, the Regional Council has made the decision for all persons, regardless of their denomination.

"It is a question of principle for all residents, regardless of denomination."

Were you active in favour or against?

Rebhan-Blättler: It is a matter of principle for all residents, regardless of denomination. For this reason, we did not actively participate or express our opinion in the run-up. 

Are you doing anything about it now?

Rebhan-Blättler: No. It is now up to the government to draw up a corresponding basis and submit it again to the Regional Council. 

Do you now expect a referendum and a popular vote?

Rebhan-Blättler: We don't know what the legal basis will look like, so we can't comment on it at the moment. 

The interview was conducted in writing.

Source

Clarification

The Roman Catholic Church of the Canton of Nidwalden is the organisation of the Catholics of Nidwalden under state church law and represents them vis-à-vis state and church authorities. It consists of the Great Church Council with 40 members (legislature). The 7 members of the Small Church Council (executive) are elected from it.

The Constitution of the National Church was adopted in a referendum on 26 October 1975. 25 years later, on 21 September 2000, some changes were made: The optional referendum was introduced, the competences of the regional church bodies and the deanery representation in the regional church were adapted to the times, and foundations were laid for a uniform regulation of the remuneration of church employees.

The national church supports pastoral care, relief work, religious education and culture that go beyond the scope of the parishes. The KAN office is an important specialist, impulse and service centre for this.

The national church works together with organisations under state church law in other cantons and promotes cooperation with other religious communities. Another important task is financial equalisation among the church and chapel communities.