Vatican Speaks Out Against 'Wicked' Assisted Suicide of Brittany Maynard

The Vatican has spoken out on an Oregon woman's recent decision to end her life after suffering from a terminal illness.

A senior official with the Holy See released a statement this week calling the assisted suicide of Brittany Maynard "wicked." Maynard was diagnosed with a likely stage 4 glioblastoma last spring, and was given six months to live. Following her diagnosis, the 29-year-old and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon so she could end her life legally.

Oregon is one of the few states that has a Death with Dignity act that allows terminally-ill state residents to end their lives using a lethal dose of drugs administered to them by their doctor.

Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, the bishop who heads the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life, a think tank for the church, condemned the assisted suicide of Maynard in a recent interview with ANSA, and Italian news agency. "We do not judge the individuals but the act itself is to be condemned," the Vatican spokesperson said.

"This woman did this thinking she could die with dignity," he continued, adding "But this is where the error lies: to commit suicide is not a good thing, it is a wicked thing because it is saying no both to one's own life and to everything which signifies respect for our mission in this world and towards those closest to us."

Maynard reportedly died at her home in Portland on Saturday while surrounded by friends and family. She announced her decision on her Facebook, writing: "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me … but would have taken so much more." 

"The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type … Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"