The Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally has, along with over one thousand clergy from across the country, signed an open letter, published in the Daily Telegraph today (Wednesday 27 November 2024).
The letter, the development of which was led by Fr Richard Bastable, Vicar of St Luke’s and Priest-in-Charge of St Matthew’s in West London, issues a stark warning to proponents of the Private Member’s Bill on assisted suicide, which has its Second Reading on Friday 29 November. It warns that to reduce the value of human life to physical and mental capacity and wellbeing has sinister implications for how society views those who experience severe physical or mental issues, and risks that those undergoing such suffering come to see their life as of less value than others.
It points to “perilous” examples in countries which have legalised assisted suicide, where provisions have been widened over time beyond those in the most acute suffering at the end of life. It adds “not only will assisted dying become more widely available over time, it will also become increasingly acceptable.”
The signatories call for greater investment in hospice and palliative care, further medical research into effective pain relief and treatment, and support for the families of those who are dying.