Norwegian bishops urged citizens to prioritize care for the suffering over policies that promote death, days before the nation’s parliamentary election.
Newsroom (03/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Norwegian Catholic Bishops have issued a stark warning against the growing acceptance of euthanasia, describing it as a “troubling trend” that undermines the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. In a pastoral letter released on August 30, the bishops urged citizens to prioritize care for the suffering over policies that promote death, just days before the nation’s parliamentary elections on September 8.
Signed by Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, president of the Scandinavian bishops’ conference, and Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo, the letter emphasizes the equal dignity of all people, regardless of their circumstances. “No person — whether an unborn child, the incurably ill, a newly arrived refugee, or a victim of violence or human trafficking — may be set aside or counted of lesser worth than the rich, the powerful, or the famous,” the bishops wrote.
The letter comes at a time when public opinion in Norway is shifting toward greater acceptance of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, both of which remain illegal. A 2023 University of Oslo survey revealed growing support for physician-assisted suicide, where a doctor prescribes lethal medication for a patient to self-administer, though direct euthanasia — the administration of a lethal substance by another party — garners less favor.
The bishops’ statement, issued on behalf of the Norwegian Catholic Bishops’ Council, is rooted in the Catholic Church’s social teaching, which they describe as grounded in faith and reason. The Catechism of the Catholic Church unequivocally condemns euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide as “morally unacceptable” and a violation of the Fifth Commandment, stating that such acts constitute “a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.”
“We are troubled by the apparent growth of support for euthanasia in our country and among our politicians,” the bishops declared. “All who suffer from pain or illness should receive every form of care we can offer, as should their families and those who look after them. To ‘help’ someone die helps no one.”
While the bishops refrained from endorsing specific candidates or parties, they encouraged voters to reflect on the Church’s teachings when making electoral decisions. “It is not our role as bishops to tell you for whom to vote,” they noted. “Our hope is rather that the basic principles we outline here will aid your own discernment about which party to support.”
The letter also underscored the broader responsibilities of Norway’s small Catholic community in shaping a just society. Despite their limited numbers, the bishops called on Catholics to engage actively in the political process, emphasizing that “responsible, creative political engagement” through voting can contribute to “society’s authentic development.”
Beyond domestic concerns, the bishops highlighted Norway’s global responsibilities, urging citizens to resist insular tendencies amid rising global conflicts and uncertainties. “Our shared responsibility for our neighbor does not end at Norway’s borders,” they wrote. “We must beware of becoming self-satisfied and turned in on ourselves.”
As Norway approaches its elections, the bishops’ letter serves as a call to uphold the dignity of all human life, challenging voters to prioritize compassion and care over policies that risk devaluing the vulnerable.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
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