Representatives of Germany’s Catholic bishops and the Protestant Church have called on the government to keep the current consent-based system for organ donation. In a joint statement, they said donation should remain a voluntary act of solidarity and support for others, while the existing framework should be strengthened and better supported.
The statement comes as the Bundestag’s Health Committee is due to consider the issue next week, ahead of a decision in the full chamber. Lawmakers are weighing whether to retain the current system, under which people must actively agree to donate, or introduce an opt-out model intended to increase donations.
Under an opt-out system, people would be considered potential donors unless they had refused. The churches’ position reflects concern that someone might be treated as a donor simply because they were unaware of the rule and had not formally objected.
The churches said bodily dignity after death and personal autonomy should guide the decision. The statement acknowledges the suffering of patients waiting for transplants, but places those principles at the center of its case for retaining the consent-based approach.
Sources: FAZ.