Catholic California governor: I considered the perspectives that ‘shortening of one’s life is sinful

Gov. Jerry Brown arrives at the Drive The Dream event at the Exploratorium on Sept. 16, 2013 , in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By Sarah Pulliam Bailey October 5 at 6:00 PM

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), a lifelong Catholic and former Jesuit seminarian, signed a law Monday legalizing physician-assisted suicide in California.

Brown, who has had brushes with cancer, noted his personal struggle ahead of signing the law.

“I have carefully read the thoughtful opposition materials presented by a number of doctors, religious leaders and those who champion disability rights,” Brown wrote in a statement. “I have considered the theological and religious perspectives that any deliberate shortening of one’s life is sinful.”

Brown said he spoke with people who supported the bill, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the family of Brittany Maynard, who made headlines last year when she announced her plan to die by physician-assisted death in Oregon. Brown also wrote that he spoke with a Catholic bishop

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/10/05/catholic-california-governor-i-considered-the-perspectives-that-shortening-of-ones-life-is-sinful/