The Bishop of London has today written to clergy in the Diocese of London setting out her position on the passage of legislation relating to assisted suicide.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, writes:
“Dear Friends
“You may have seen media coverage regarding the upcoming debate in Parliament about assisted suicide. I am leading on this conversation on behalf of the Lords’ Spiritual, the bishops in the House of Lords. It therefore seems appropriate that I should write to you with a few thoughts.
“I have been asked whether the Church of England has a collective view on this matter. The General Synod has voted twice, with a significant majority, against the legalisation of assisted suicide (2012 and 2022). This opposition has always been grounded in a concern for the welfare of the most vulnerable: in biblical terms the widow, the orphan and the stranger.
“However, it is not the case that there is a ‘religious view’ and a ‘secular view’ on these issues. People of faith and those ascribing to a variety of philosophies of life hold a wide range of differing views on these deeply complex matters.
“My own approach is not just underpinned by my faith, but also my time as a nurse, especially caring for those who were dying. There are many who die well. As dying is part of living, there is often life to be lived during this time. It is clear that we have not invested in palliative care or palliative care research, and that to do so would make a profound difference to people’s experience at this point in their lives.
“We also need to guard against unintended consequences. Giving choice to some will take choice away from others, especially the most vulnerable in our society: the elderly, those living in poverty, those who are at risk because they are disabled, and those in coercive relationships. It will widen the existing health inequalities which are such a scar on our national life.
“One person’s understanding of quality of life is not always somebody else’s. The change in legislation will risk an increasing number of people seeing themselves as a burden, in spite of wanting to live. In one study in the State of Oregon, 46% of people opting for assisted suicide cited fear of being a burden as a factor in their decision. This proportion has risen in recent years.
“Currently there are proposed protections suggested which include limiting the availability of assisted suicide to those within six months of the end of their life. But quite apart from the difficulty of judging when this point has been reached, arguments are already being introduced into the public debate which would extend this. Reportedly up to fifty Members of Parliament are keen that the Bill extends to those who are incurably suffering.
“In Canada, where euthanasia laws have already been introduced, provision has been extended to those whose condition is serious and incurable, and arguments are being made to include those with chronic mental illness.
“As Chair of the UK Commission on Bereavement I have encouraged us as a nation to talk about death. The debate on assisted suicide is an important debate to have. But we are a long way from being ready for a fully informed debate and even further from being equipped to decide on a change in legislation.
“Again, I realise that for deeply personal reasons as well as theological convictions we may stand in different places in this debate. My prayers are with you as you reflect and pray, have conversations with those in your pastoral care who want to talk about these issues, and decide whether to write to your Member of Parliament on the matter.”