Bologna, July 25, 2026 – “The law of Emilia-Romagna on end-of-life is not the answer to the real problem that illness and suffering pose to human beings.” This is stated by the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Emilia-Romagna (Ceer), who intervene after the approval, on July 23, of the regional norm by the Legislative Assembly.
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After Tuscany and Sardinia, the bishops recall that Emilia-Romagna is the third Region to adopt specific regulations in the absence of a national law and reiterate the perplexities already expressed in February 2024. “The value of human life asserts itself in every phase, especially in the fragility of old age and illness – they state – procuring death, directly or through medically assisted suicide, radically contrasts with the value of the person, with the aims of the State and with the medical profession itself.”
“Every person has the right to be cared for”
While acknowledging that the law recognizes the conscientious objection of healthcare professionals and highlights the importance of palliative care, the prelates believe that the latter “should be a pre-condition and not just simple information given to the patient.”
According to the Ceer, in fact, the sick person “needs to be accompanied and supported” and, if palliative care were guaranteed to everyone, it would ensure “relief and sustainability in illness and pain.” Furthermore, for the bishops, the regional law “opens the way to foreseeable expansions and promotes a culture of the ‘uselessness’ of the life of the suffering and severely disabled person.” The text reiterates that “there is no right to die but the right to be cared for” and expresses closeness to fragile people and their families.
The new regional law on assisted suicide
The bill by Avs, Pd, Civici and Movimento 5 Stelle first signed by Paolo Trande (Avs) was passed in the Assembly with the favorable votes of Pd, Avs, Civici and Movimento 5 Stelle and the opposing votes of FdI, Forza Italia, Rete civica and Lega. The objective of the norm is to regulate access to medically assisted suicide for patients with irreversible diseases and intolerable suffering, ensuring equity and timelines compatible with the physical conditions of the applicants.
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