La Croix
A brusque reversal by the Belgian province of the Order of the Brothers of Charity has led to a lively polemic.
The order has previously always refused to practice euthanasia, which has been legal in Belgium for nearly fifteen years.
But in a document addressed to hospital management and staff of its fifteen psychiatric centers, the Belgium Brothers of Charity in March confirmed its decision to finally authorize medically assisted death, including for its patients who were “in a non-terminal situation”.
No explanation of the reasons for the change
This surprising about face by a Catholic congregation attracted the fire of the Belgian Bishops Conference, the Vatican and the hierarchy of the Order. . . [Full text]