Recently, Catholic authorities in India have welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the prohibition on passive euthanasia, emphasizing the sanctity of life.

On August 20, Chief Justice Dhananjaya Chandrachud and the Supreme Court dismissed a plea from the parents of a 30-year-old man, who has been in a vegetative state for more than a decade, to allow passive euthanasia.

The case stemmed from a tragic fall in 2013 that left the man, once an engineering student, severely injured.

Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra, also chairman of the doctrinal commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, commended the Court for its unequivocal verdict.

Expressing his satisfaction, Archbishop Manjaly said, “We are extremely pleased that the court has upheld the sanctity of life and we stand in solidarity with the family during this difficult time.”

Highlighting a previous ruling by the Delhi High Court in 2021, it was noted that the man did not rely on mechanical life support and was capable of independent breathing, influencing the decision made by both courts.

The Supreme Court reiterated that passive euthanasia could only be considered in cases where life support is mechanical, a condition not met in this instance.

Despite acknowledging the family’s emotional and financial hardships, Chief Justice Chandrachud inquired about alternative care options that could lighten the parents’ burden.

It was emphasized that Indian law, supported by a 2018 judgment, strictly prohibits the administration of any substance for the purpose of ending life, even for alleviating suffering.

According to the Catholic Catechism (CCC 2276-2279), “passive” euthanasia is only permissible when it involves the discontinuation of mechanical life support, not the removal of feeding tubes.

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