France may require religious hospitals to perform euthanasia

A protest against France’s euthanasia bill at Les Invalides in Paris, June 22, 2026. Photo: Charlotte Simon / AFP

On June 29, 2026, the French Parliament rejected an amendment that would have allowed medical institutions to refuse participation in euthanasia on grounds of conscience. If the proposed “end-of-life assistance” legislation is ultimately adopted, religious and private healthcare facilities could be required to provide euthanasia and assisted suicide services, according to The European Conservative.

The controversy centered on an amendment intended to protect hospitals, hospices, and clinics that object to euthanasia for religious, ethical, or professional reasons. Members of parliament completed their review of the end-of-life legislation on Saturday, voting against the inclusion of a conscience clause for private facilities.

As a result, religious and other private healthcare institutions would no longer be able to decline to provide assisted dying services based on their ethical charters if the law is adopted.

Opponents argue that this would transform euthanasia from an exceptional measure into a mandatory medical service that even hospitals traditionally committed to accompanying patients through natural death would be expected to provide.

Roman Catholic Bishop Mathieu Rougé sharply criticized the parliamentary decision, calling it a blow to freedom of conscience.

According to the bishop, numerous healthcare providers have sought the right to refuse participation in euthanasia or assisted suicide, citing their duty to remain faithful to their founding principles and respect the convictions of the people they serve.

“This is not a question of secularism but of freedom,” Rougé said, referring to the legislation as a “totalizing technocratic paradigm.”

He noted that government officials had previously appeared open to such protections but ultimately opposed every amendment that would have shielded medical institutions from being compelled to participate in euthanasia.

Rougé also expressed hope that during his anticipated visit to France, Pope Leo XIV would reaffirm the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to euthanasia.

According to the bishop, “true fraternity” is not about helping people die but rather helping them live, especially when it comes to the sick, the elderly, and the disabled.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Netherlands recently carried out its first euthanasia procedure involving a child under the age of 12.

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