Jesuits publicly support assisted suicide 'for the common good'

When St. Ignatius and six of his students took vows of poverty and chastity in 1534 to form the Society of Jesus (known as the Jesuits), I suspect the reality of what the organization is now is not what St. Ignatius had in mind. In fact, based on the Jesuit history and St. Ignatius’ work through it, I know an organization that ignores sin and promotes concepts contrary to the dignity of life is not what the great saint envisioned.

St. Ignatius and his students worked to form the Jesuits in order to evangelize Muslims. They sought to convert Muslims to the Christian faith and, when it was not possible to work for the conversion of Muslims, they served the pope in other apostolic ways. Additionally, their work in the Counter-Reformation effectively brought many Catholics back to the Church who had joined the Protestant movement. Sadly, the Jesuits of yesterday seem lost.

When we think of Jesuits today, we may think of those such as Pope Francis or Fr. James Martin. We may see the Jesuits as more political than evangelical today and more focused on political platforms than urging sinners to repent and turn to Christ. The most recent actions of a Jesuit publication show just how far the order has fallen from its founding.

According to the National Catholic Register, “almost 60 organizations have criticized an article supporting the passing of an Italian bill to legalize assisted suicide, which was published last week in the Catholic, Jesuit-run journal La Civilta Cattolica.”

The article, referenced by the National Catholic Register, is titled “The Parliamentarian Discussion on ‘Assisted Suicide’ and was published online January 13 and appeared in the print edition of the journal on January 15. It is directly addressing a proposed law, expected to be put to a vote next month, which would allow for assisted suicide. The article was written by Fr. Casalone and throws support behind a bill for assisted suicide legislation in Italy where, at the moment, assisted suicide and euthanasia are both illegal. Interestingly, Fr. Casalone does not dismiss the fact that support for assisted suicide is against Church teaching. However, he appears to do what many Jesuits have been good at and attempts to justify the choice to support sinful actions and those against the dignity of life if it can be argued it prevents something worse. If it is for “the common good.” (sound familiar?)

"The evaluation of a law of the State requires us to consider a complex set of elements with regard to the common good, as Pope Francis recalls: 'Within democratic societies, delicate topics such as these must be approached calmly: in a serious and reflective way and well disposed to find solutions- even normative ones- as much as possible shared," writes Fr. Casalone. He also writes in the article, “In the current cultural and social situation, it seems to the writer that support for this PdL [legislative bill] does not conflict with the responsible pursuit of the possible common good.”

Fr. Casalone uses the ideas of "common good" and the argument that it's an "imperfect law", but should be accepted, to support the idea of allowing assisted suicide - contrary to Church teaching - in Italy. He also concludes his article by referencing abortion in the same framework of the "imperfect law" argument. 

"The traditional principle that could be used is that of 'imperfect laws', used by the Magisterium also with regard to procured abortion," writes Fr. Casalone. 

The common good appears to be the phrase Jesuits are good at throwing out when they are advocating for something that is against Church teaching. The real “common good” calls for the Church to take a stand and defend life – all life – and teach the dignity and value of every single life and not advocate for the support of a pathway that would allow for more deaths. The Jesuit “common good” is not the same. The Jesuits have been vocal, including Pope Francis and Fr. Martin, regarding the need to get an abortion-tainted vaccine “for the common good”, but refused to urge pro-abortion Catholic politicians such as President Biden and Nancy Pelosi to repent and stop promoting death and murder under the disguise of “healthcare”. Now, Jesuits are supporting a law that would usher in more death. A law that is directly against Church teaching. 

Gone are the days of Jesuit evangelization, taking a stand against heresy and false teachings, and urging repentance and salvation. Today, this new order of Jesuits, I suspect St. Ignatius would not even recognize.