The Vatican on Wednesday mourned the death of Noa Pothoven, a 17-year-old girl from the Netherlands who reportedly ended her life via legal euthanasia on Sunday – although it was subsequently clarified she had not received government permission to end her life.
“Noa’s death is a great loss for any civil society and for humanity,” the Pontifical Academy for Life posted on its Twitter account, @PontAcadLife. “We must always assert the positive reasons for life.#NoaPothoven”.
Noa's death is a great loss for any civil society and for humanity. We must always assert the positive reasons for life. #NoaPothoven pic.twitter.com/iOszFcwP7s
— Pontifical Academy Life (@PontAcadLife) June 5, 2019
Even the Pope commented through his Twitter account on the death of Pothoven.
L’eutanasia e il suicidio assistito sono una sconfitta per tutti. La risposta a cui siamo chiamati è non abbandonare mai chi soffre, non arrendersi, ma prendersi cura e amare per ridare la speranza.
— Papa Francesco (@Pontifex_it) June 5, 2019
The girl struggled with mental illness after being raped as a child and, in accordance with Dutch law, was reportedly granted permission to die with the help of an end-of-life clinic.
She had written a book about her battle with mental illness after being sexually abused. Dutch sources said Wednesday Pothoven had not been euthanised but had died after refusing food and drink.
“This is not a case of euthanasia,” they said.
Italian right-to-die campaigner Marco Cappato said she had not received government permission to kill herself.
Via ANSA
