Little Sisters of the Poor could leave France because of the new euthanasia law

The Little Sisters of the Poor have warned that they may be forced to close some of their residences in France if the future law on the end of life obliges them to allow euthanasia in their facilities.

The warning comes after the French National Assembly rejected the inclusion of an institutional conscience clause that would have allowed healthcare and care centers, including those of religious inspiration, to refuse to practice so-called “aid in dying” in their facilities.

According to France-Soir, the sisters care for around 2,500 elderly people in some thirty homes across France and categorically reject “giving death” in their centers. For the congregation, accepting euthanasia in their residences would mean betraying their mission of accompanying the elderly until the natural end of life.

No institutional conscience clause

During the processing of the bill, several parliamentarians attempted to introduce a collective conscience clause to protect establishments that, for ethical or religious reasons, oppose euthanasia. The proposal did not succeed.

The text does provide for an individual conscience clause for healthcare professionals, but does not recognize the same right for institutions. In this way, Catholic centers could be forced to organize the practice of euthanasia in their facilities, even if it contradicts their founding principles.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are considering taking legal action to defend their freedom of conscience. Ultimately, they do not rule out closing some homes if the application of the law compromises their identity and mission.

A law that reopens the debate on religious freedom

One of the main supporters of the bill, deputy Olivier Falorni, argued during the debate that “walls have no conscience,” referring to the refusal to recognize an institutional objection for care centers.

The statement has raised concerns, as this stance poses a risk to religious freedom and to the continuity of works that, for decades, have cared for vulnerable people precisely from the commitment never to cause death.

The position of the Little Sisters of the Poor thus raises a fundamental question: whether the State can compel institutions created to care until the natural end of life to participate in a practice they consider incompatible with human dignity and the teaching of the Church.