杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

Bishops of England and Wales have reiterated in the strongest terms Church鈥檚 opposition to the legalization of assisted suicide. A new 鈥楢ssisted Dying鈥� Bill aimed at alleviating the 鈥渋ntolerable suffering鈥� of terminally ill patients in the United Kindom has been introduced into the House of Lords today by Baroness Meacher.

Previous attempts to legalise assisted suicide in the UK

If approved, it would legalise assisted dying as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults in their final six months of life. Two independent doctors and a High Court judge would have to assess each request, which if granted would enable a patient to die in a manner, and at a time and place of their choosing. The proposed bill follows the 鈥淢arris Bill鈥� which was defeated in 2015 by a 330 to 118 majority at its second reading in the House of Commons.

"False compassion"

In a  released yesterday, Bishop John Sherrington, head of the Department for Life Issues of the Bishops鈥� Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), points out that 鈥渁lthough this new Bill is framed as a compassionate response to those in the last stages of their life, such compassion must be denounced as 鈥榝alse compassion鈥欌��. A 鈥渢rue compassion - he says, citing 杏MAP导航 Francis words - is the just response to the immense value of the sick person. It finds expression in treating the dying person with love, with dignity and by making use of appropriate palliative care鈥�.

The need for proper love and care in the face of grave illness 

Recalling the 鈥渆xtraordinary commitment of healthcare professionals and their loving care for the sick and dying鈥� during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Sherrington notes that these acts of 鈥渉eroic love鈥� are a 鈥減owerful testimony to the fundamental dignity of the human person and to the importance of proper love and care in the face of grave illness and in the last moments of life鈥�, which is contradicted by the proposed legislation. According to the prelate, the bill would also fundamentally change the relationship between the doctor and the patient, 鈥渁s it would change it from treatment and care to assisting another鈥檚 death鈥�.

Support for high quality end-of-life care

The statement therefore reiterates Catholic Church鈥檚 opposition to any form of assisted suicide, reaffirming bishops鈥� support 鈥渇or high quality end-of-life care, which includes spiritual and pastoral support for the one who is dying and their family鈥�. It finally calls on Catholics 鈥渢o pray for good care of those who are elderly, sick and dying鈥� and to oppose the legislation in the upcoming 鈥楧ay for Life鈥�, to be celebrated on 20 June in England and Wales.