Posted on 06/12/2019 4:45:26 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
(Rome) Pope Francis found clear words against suicide and euthanasia. He spoke of a "defeat for all". The papal statement was made in response to the death of 17-year-old Dutch girl, Noa Pothoven. A message that is shocking indeed.
Pothoven was euthanized last Sunday because of "depression.” So it was reported yesterday by numerous media. The killing was done in a so-called "Lebensendeklinik" [End of Life Clinic]. By this euphemism is meant not a healing facility, as the name implies, but a killing facility.
Noa Pothoven was sexually molested at the age of 11 and 12, and was raped by two Muslims at the age of 14. The rape caused post-traumatic stress, anorexia and depression. Last Sunday, on the basis of the Dutch euthanasia law and with the permission of the parents, the killing of the girl took place.
However, the news of Noa's euthanasia turned out to be an inaccuracy. [She died in her parents' home, who permitted her to starve to death.] It is not wrong, however, that the girl is actually dead, in no less dire circumstances.
Therefore, Pope Francis took a stand not only against euthanasia but also against suicide.
The news is so incredible that it is hard to believe. Instead of helping their daughter, the parents agreed to have their child killed. But even the ultraliberal euthanasia law of the Netherlands does not allow euthanasia because of depression.
Because she was denied euthanasia, Noa Pothoven, according to the current reconstruction of events, starved and died of thirst by refusing food and fluid intake. And at home and with the consent of her parents.
Noa herself had announced her death on the social networks, including on Instagram. She herself complained there that she was denied euthanasia, "because I am too young." She would have had to undergo psychiatric or psychological therapy first. Only then could she have been killed at the age of 21, "when my brain is fully mature".
"I'm devastated because I can not wait that long," said the 17-year-old.
The cruel suicide is likely to trigger a new discussion on the further expansion of the euthanasia law in order to "spare" those who "wish" such a dreadful death.
Today, Pope Francis responded with a tweet to the dire news of Pothov's death:
"Euthanasia and assisted suicide are a defeat for all. The answer to which we are called is never to let the sufferer down, never to resign, but to accept with care and love, to give hope."
Tweet by Pope Francis.
On the German Twitter account of the Pope, the majority of reactions were negative. The Christian understanding of suffering and death is barely or not at all present in many. However, in the face of pain and death, the delusion of unlimited self-determination reaches its limits anyway.
Some German reactions of incomprehension to the position of the Pope:
The Kroisos Newsleaf writes:
"One wonders, on which planet this #Franziskus lives ... Go to a hospital, and look at some bodies - people are no longer - who vegetate uselessly under mad pain. To them, death is a true, only salvation. "
Thomas Martin wonders:
"Suffering for the sake of suffering?"
Lady [[[Luna Flausn]]] from the Schnuffel round:
"Does that really fall under self-flagellation?"
Nell Hitchens #noAfD:
"Like Mother Teresa? No thank you."
Lukull:
"And if hope is only death?"
Photographer A. Lauer:
"Who are you that you try to impose your masochism on others?"
The Commentator answered with two tweets:
"Every animal may be euthanized so that it does not have to suffer! And man as a thinking, sensitive being must suffer and vegetate? This is neither Christian nor human! Relatives who think otherwise are selfish & unfeeling. "
"Old man, you are a senile, senile old man and have no idea of real life!"
Colonel Guillaume:
"Comrade Holy Father, are not you of the opinion that every human being must decide this question for themselves? So why are you denying people the opportunity? "
Nizo:
"And who cares about all abuse victims of the church Franzi?"
Sandra Müller:
"Only everyone can make that decision for themselves, their decision must be respected by others. No ifs and buts."
There were other dumbfound reactions published on the pope’s other accounts.
5novembre 2020 writes:
"Jesus decided of his own free will to kill himself."
Gabriele writes:
"Noa needed the only possible medicine: Jesus. The fact that she did not get this medicine is the fault of the world! "
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com AMDG
We live in interesting times.
And I make no pretense of being the fearless advocate for Jesus, His Truth, and His Gospel, that my state in life calls me to be.
So if a brother (or sister) would occasionally see fit to pray for me, I wouldn’t object.
As a psychologist for over 40 years I have worked with many patients who had had ECT, and I can verify that while it may (or may not) save lives acutely it comes at the cost of long term disability. May as well use the lobotomy trick.
May I please see a source for:
“Adolescent female anorexia is rampant in the Netherlands, and one in 10 dies of it. One in ten.”
N9, it is not strange. Everyone of us needs prayer for our own conversion. He is a human being like all of us with all of our failings.
To be clear, Bergoglio did not speak against "suicide", but "assisted suicide". He has not taught the traditional Catholic teaching against "suicide".
When Italy was considering a living will bill in 2017(which, shockingly, overwhelmingly passed) Pope Francis was quoted as saying "It is clear that not adopting, or else suspending, disproportionate measures means avoiding overzealous treatment," and making other remarks about the right to decline "heroic" treatment. This is perfectly sound moral theology, but the bill wasn't just upholding opting against unbearable, futile treatment --- it was OK'ing also the cessation of nutrition/hydration, which results in death as intended.
So the pope said things which are objectively, morally true, but did not speak to the salient point at hand, which was intentional death by starvation.
Supporters of the bill brandished his quotes, which helped push this terrible bill over the top.
I don’t think you got my point. The article states that Bergoglio condemned suicide. He does not. He only mentions assisted suicide. Two different things.
Thank you.
I checked this and found that 0.008 percent of Dutch women between 16-24 suffer from anorexia nervosa. Eight cases for every 100,000 women in The Netherlands for that age group. Slightly higher for bulimia nervosa.
That’s lower than the USA significantly for both figures in that age group in the same sampling rate.
Statistically, this is about the same cause of death in The Netherlands for women in that same age group who perish from complications of pregnancy and/or childbirth.
Sad, but hardly anything approaching rampant.
Thank you for having the due diligence to look up the stats. What Noe’s mother had to say was all I had to go on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.