Call for prayer as Parliament prepares to debate assisted suicide

Church leaders are calling for prayer and “compassionate motion” as the problem of legalising assisted suicide returns to Parliament. 

Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill will soon have its second reading within the House of Lords, and backbench Labour MP Jake Richards has won a ballot to bring forward a Private Member’s Bill aimed toward legalising the practice.

Bishop John Sherrington, the Catholic Church’s Lead Bishop for Life Issues, said that the Catholic Church “has at all times been against assisted suicide in every circumstance”. He called for correct care and support for terminally ailing people at the top of their lives.

“The legalisation of assisted suicide undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life,” he said.

“There can be now ample evidence the world over that the legalisation of assisted suicide puts probably the most vulnerable members of society in danger,” he said. 

“The Catholic Church accompanies those suffering and nearing the top of their lives with hope and affection, but in addition reminds them that their life is precious until the very last breath.

“This is the work that hospitals and other healthcare institutions and tons of of hundreds of individual carers undertake each day, helping the terminally ailing and dying to depart this world whilst preserving their dignity. They truly provide assistance to those that are dying.” 

Bishop Sherrington urged people to be told in regards to the issue and pray that politicians would have “wisdom and compassion”.

“In preparation for these difficult debates, allow us to offer our prayers for those facing the top of their lives, that they could receive the care and support they should live their final days with respect for his or her dignity,” he added.

CEO of Christian advocacy group CARE, Ross Hendry, called assisted suicide “medically dangerous and unethical”. 

“The moral framework that underpins our approach to healthcare within the UK relies on the Christian belief that human beings, made in God’s image, are endowed with inherent dignity, and worthy of strong protection. And that an individual’s value isn’t diminished by an illness or another factor,” he said.

“Involving doctors within the suicides of some people sends a regressive message that some lives are usually not price living. The dangers of endorsing this concept are clear and were underlined in past parliamentary debates.” 

Recent polling by research group Living and Dying Well has found that fewer than half of 18 to 24 yr olds within the UK support legalising assisted suicide, while greater than half of UK adults fear it might result in the normalisation of suicide. Nearly half of the over 2,000 people surveyed expressed concerns that some patients would feel pressure to finish their lives.

Mr Hendry continued, “Instead of legalising assisted suicide, which undermines human dignity and puts vulnerable groups at greater risk of abuse and harm, UK politicians should make sure that investment and infrastructure are in place to make sure prime quality palliative take care of all people.

“The UK has huge work to do on this area, given a chronic underfunding of this aspect of healthcare. We’d also emphasise the necessity to boost suicide prevention, and work towards a society where all lives are considered precious.”