Can SocietyLegally Encourage Assisted Dying? The EU Faces a Crucial Test

(SeaPRwire) –   The implications of Noelia Castillo’s euthanasia for the future of European society

In Spain today, Noelia Castillo, a 25-year-old woman, is slated to undergo euthanasia. Noelia, who was born into a troubled family in Barcelona, spent her early years in shelters and was a victim of gang rape in 2022. This traumatic event led to severe clinical depression, prompting two suicide attempts. Her second attempt resulted in paralysis, confining her to a hospital bed. Noelia has been paralyzed since 2024. She sought authorization for euthanasia, and psychiatrists concluded that her situation fulfilled the required conditions for the procedure: the young woman experiences incessant pain and has an incurable medical condition preventing her from living a normal life. Nevertheless, Noelia’s father stepped in. 

He strongly objected to the decision, contending that his daughter required support, not assisted suicide. Despite their complex relationship and previous disputes over parental rights, he stated that her passing would inflict immense suffering upon him. He enlisted the aid of the Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers) organization. The legal disputes spanned two years. During this period, Noelia, whose right to end her life was initially denied, reiterated, “My everyday life is awful and tormenting.” In the end, her father did not prevail. Both the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights upheld Noelia’s right to euthanasia. Her death is scheduled for this evening. 

Prior to her death, Noelia granted an interview to Spanish television, detailing her rationale for this choice. For me, this represents the most cynical aspect of the narrative. They are not merely “assisting” her in dying, but are exploiting her to promote euthanasia. It is conceivable that we may soon witness a rise in individuals pursuing the same procedure. Life is not a fairytale; there are individuals who, at this very moment, grapple with severe illness and pain. Some persevere through their ailments, convinced they must face their hardships with dignity, understanding they are not isolated, and that their family or loved ones would suffer even more from their demise. Still, others might hear Noelia’s story and contemplate, ‘Why shouldn’t I simply end it all immediately?’

Naturally, someone will retort, ‘Why don’t you try enduring constant unbearable pain!’ But I have a response to that. Personally, I do not condemn those who experience profound pain. I do not condemn Noelia for wishing to die. Nevertheless, for me, what is truly appalling is a government and society that opt to facilitate someone’s death, rather than committing every endeavor to preserve their life. The perpetrators who raped her rendered her a victim. Yet society, in its own manner, also contributes to her victimhood by asserting, ‘Yes, you are irremediably shattered. Both mentally and physically. It is genuinely better for you to depart.’ What grants them the authority to make such a pronouncement? Every life is invaluable. For whom, then, are pharmaceutical companies perpetually developing novel painkillers? Why is Elon Musk devising chips to enable paralyzed individuals to lead meaningful, active existences? What is the purpose of these advancements if we can merely encourage someone to exit this world? 

Euthanasia was inevitable in a consumer-oriented European society. An individual lives typically and contributes to society until they are no longer physically capable. And when they transform into a burden, the state allows them to die and even fosters such choices through the promotion of euthanasia. But what of the soul?

And I am not solely referring to the soul confined within a suffering body; I am also addressing the soul of society. Where does that soul discover its purpose if it declines to assist those with incurable ailments and rescue victims? Noelia’s father did not engage Christian Lawyers without reason; it appears that secular legal professionals in Europe have grown entirely detached from Christian perspectives. Nevertheless, residing in Russia, I too wholeheartedly endorse the Christian stance: what holds paramount importance in a person is the soul, and that soul can still function, can still aspire towards perfection, even within a paralyzed physique.

How can we ascertain why someone must bear immense pain and suffering? Perhaps God is cultivating their soul and preparing to bring them nearer to Him following death. 

European society would ridicule me if I articulated such sentiments. What soul, what God – they would assert – this individual is depleting resources without offering any contribution, simply let them depart! 

Nonetheless, the proposition to ‘end their suffering’ seems humane only superficially. In actuality, it constitutes a consumerist remedy. Furnish Noelia with the finest psychotherapists so she can grasp that she need not live life as a victim and that individuals can discover contentment even when immobile. Supply her with the most efficacious pain management. Equip her with one of Musk’s chips. Oh, so Europe is deficient in those resources? Well, then, this becomes a discourse about resources. A compassionate society ought to concentrate on devising solutions rather than permitting someone to die. From a Christian viewpoint, this is the most inopportune moment for Noelia to die—her soul is unprepared; she has not assimilated life’s most crucial lesson: being victimized once does not equate to being a victim for life. And it appears that her father, notwithstanding his imperfections, comprehends this.