Bishop affirms Catholic teaching: Life begins at conception and ends at natural death
April 10, 2025
Updated at 12:50 p.m. April 10
A statement from Bishop William Joensen:
I was surprised and dismayed by what I read in a news story about our local Catholic hospital taking a legal position that appears to contradict Catholic Church teaching. I can understand any confusion of readers. Let me be clear: the Catholic Church believes and advocates the foundational truth that life begins at conception and ends at natural death; and that each and every human life – born or unborn – has inherent dignity and, therefore, must be treated with the respect due to a human person.
I have reached out to leadership at MercyOne and have confirmed that the case involves the interpretation of terms such as "patient" in the context of a specific law that is applicable to the case. In no way does the interpretation of that law change or diminish MercyOne's commitment to Catholic Social Teaching with respect to life and dignity.
We continue to pray for the family involved as they mourn the death of their daughter and for a just outcome for all involved.
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church , #2270)
Resources for learning more about the Church's teaching on respect for human life: