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O'Malley, Church Strongly Oppose Assisted Suicide Ballot Initiative

BOSTON (CBS) - The head of the Boston Archdiocese is expressing his concerns about the "death with dignity" ballot initiative that's been certified by the state.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley spoke about the petition drive during the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

"It's another attempt to undermine the sacredness of human life," said Cardinal O'Malley during Mass.

Cardinal O'Malley told lawyers, judges and other parishioners gathered at Mass that the church is strongly opposed to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.

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The Cardinal said doctors should know better.

"Allowing doctors to prescribe the means for their patients to kill themselves is a corruption of the medical profession. It even violates the Hippocratic Oath that has guided physicians for thousands of years," said Cardinal O'Malley.

Cardinal O'Malley said only God has power to decide what constitutes a life worth living.

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