Doctor's Resignation over Euthanasia Gets Praise in Vatican Newspaper
VATICAN CITY, March 5, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An Italian doctor's resignation from the College of Physicians in protest over the College's failure to discipline a member involved in an euthanasia case received the praise of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Zenit News Agency reported March 4. Dr. Stefano Ojetti resigned from his position as adviser to the College after his colleagues decided not to take disciplinary action against Dr. Mario Riccio, an anesthetist who acted against orders in unplugging Peirgiorgio Welby's respirator, ending Welby's life. Severely disabled, pro-euthanasia activist Welby had publicly petitioned for aid in ending his life, unleashing a national debate on the legalization of euthanasia. In his letter of resignation Dr. Ojetti said every eugenic act was openly against the Hippocratic Oath to "do no harm" and the code of medical ethics. He described the death of Welby as a "sad and dark page in the history of ...