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LISBON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese parliament approved on Friday the legalization of euthanasia "practiced or helped by health professionals" in the country with 136 votes of deputies in favor and 78 against, in addition to four abstentions.

According to the bill, a person aged over 18 can be medically assisted in death "whose will is current and reiterated, serious, free and enlightened, in a situation of intolerable suffering, with a definite injury of extreme severity in accordance with scientific consensus or incurable and fatal disease."

The bill, which also guarantees that doctors and nurses can refuse to assist in euthanasia due to "conscientious objection," now goes to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may veto, send it to the Constitutional Court or even promulgate directly.

Portugal will become the fourth country in Europe and the seventh in the world to legalize euthanasia if the president promulgates this law.

Representing the Catholic Church, the largest organized religion in the country, the Portuguese Episcopal Conference protested against the approval of euthanasia in parliament.

In addition to Catholics, 12 private health care institutions called for an intervention by the president to prevent the legalization of euthanasia.

"At a time when thousands of people, countless institutions, in a daily superhuman effort, care for the sick and vulnerable and fragile people, giving everything to save lives, the approval of euthanasia represents disrespect for all these people," said a statement sent by the "Stop Euthanasia" movement to reporters. Enditem