Priests who back reforms to introduce euthanasia in Malta would be failing “to honour their duty as Catholic shepherds,” Archbishop Charles J Scicluna has warned.

The archbishop’s remarks come within the context of a voluntary assisted euthanasia framework which was issued by the government for public consultation.

The two-month public consultation process on the proposed principles and safeguards on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia, with only those who meet the criteria of having an incurable, irreversible terminal illness expected to cause death within six months would be eligible under the proposed safeguards was launched two weeks ago.

“The People of God expect to receive light on the truth of the Gospel of Life from their Priests and Bishops,” the archbishop said in a status on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Pastors who express themselves in favour of Euthanasia - a deliberate act to terminate human life before its natural end - fail to honour their duty as Catholic shepherds,” he said.

The archbishop commented on Monday evening after a programme aired on television channel F-Living where a priest – Fr Colin Apap – expressed himself in favour of the framework proposed by the government during a discussion on the topic.

The Archbishop had already expressed himself against the government’s proposed reform the day after it was unveiled.

“May death and dying continue to be accompanied by a culture of compassionate care,” he had written.

“May our Health Professionals always be servants of life with dignity, never dispensers of death.  A big YES to Palliative Care up to our natural end,” Scicluna had said.

On its own part, F Living defended having the discussion on its television station, saying that while it “fully believes in the value of life” it also believes in “free speech, open dialogue, and in the right of every individual to express their perspective in a respectful and informed manner.”