Don Alberto Frigerio.
Palazzo Pirelli, in Milan, hosted the conference “The end of life and the end of life”, organized by the Noi Moderati council group, an initiative that aimed to address one of the most controversial and complex issues of modern society. The packed room saw the participation of experts in ethics, medicine, law, as well as political representatives, with the aim of opening a multidisciplinary debate on the popular initiative bill for the legalization of medically assisted suicide, promoted by the Coscioni Association and by the Liberi Subito Committee.
A theme that questions freedom
The work was started by the Undersecretary for International and European Relations of the Lombardy Region, Raffaele Cattaneo, and Nicolas Gallizzi, Group Leader of Noi Moderati. During his speech, Cattaneo underlined the importance of addressing the topic with rigor and responsibility, focusing in particular on the concept of freedom: “The end of life is an issue that today requires profound attention. Too often, even within of the centre-right, we take refuge behind freedom of conscience, but it is necessary to remember that freedom implies responsibility and must take reality into account. Freedom cannot be without limits”. A reflection that has opened the field to a heated but necessary debate on how to balance the right to individual freedom with the needs of the community and respect for life.
The proposed law and legal aspects
The meeting, which placed the Coscioni Association’s bill at the center, saw the participation of Dr. Mario Riccio, doctor among the first signatories of the text. The proposal aims to regulate medically assisted suicide, framing it legally to ensure that those who choose this path do so in compliance with precise and rigorous regulations. Riccio gave his testimony, as a professional who has personally experienced difficult cases, reiterating the need for a clear legislative framework.
Three perspectives, one debate
The conference developed along three main lines: legal, ethical and community. On a legal level, the discussion focused on who, from a constitutional point of view, has the legislative power to decide on such a delicate matter. The importance of clear legislation that establishes the boundaries between individual rights and state responsibility has emerged. On the ethical front, Professor Benedetta Vimercati, professor of constitutional law at the University of Milan, analyzed the question of the dignity of life and its intrinsic value, even in the face of illness and suffering. Finally, on a social level, we discussed the type of community we want to build: a society that protects individual freedom of choice or a community that preserves life as an absolute value?
Testimonials and insights
Numerous experts contributed to the reflection: Don Alberto Frigerio, professor of ethics of life at the ISSR in Milan, brought the perspective of the Church, highlighting how palliative care and accompaniment until death are an integral part of the human mission and Christian. “We must not confuse treating with healing”, recalled Cattaneo, reiterating the importance of treatment, even when healing is not possible.
Giovanna Filazzola, coordinator of the Health Services of the Molinas Foundation, highlighted the importance of a humanitarian approach to care, while Mario Melazzini, Medical Director of the Niguarda Hospital, addressed the topic of palliative care as a response to the fear of suffering, which often pushes people to consider extreme solutions.
A political conclusion and an uncertain future
The conference closed with a political discussion between the councilors of the main council groups, who debated in view of the next vote in the Regional Council on PDL 56, concerning the end of life. It was a moment of synthesis, in which the different political and cultural sensitivities that animate the public debate on this topic emerged, but also the need to find a meeting point.
The initiative of the Noi Moderati group marked an important step in the path of collective reflection on the issue of assisted suicide, demonstrating the importance of an open and inclusive dialogue, capable of welcoming different visions and promoting respectful discussion. A reflection that cannot end here, but which requires continuous commitment, capable of reconciling the needs of personal freedom with the shared values of society.
