The Methodist Church in Ireland through its Council on Social Responsibility has released a statement on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which was recently introduced as a Private Members’ Bill in the House of Commons and will be debated on 29th November.

The statement reflects back on work done by the Council 11 years ago on the subject of “Physician Assisted Suicide”.   We note the changing terminology but are concerned that removing the explicit reference to the role of the doctor and the description of the essential nature of the act – i.e. suicide – are intended to soften the impact of permitting acts that at present are not legal. 

We call for a respectful and careful debate on this sensitive issue.  Our theological and pastoral reasons for cautioning against this legislation have not changed:

• The sanctity of human life

• The Hippocratic principle of ‘first do no harm’ – and the doctor/patient relationship

• The slippery slope of right to die becoming a ‘duty to die’

• The developing experience in other countries 

In addition to these concerns, we call on the Government to increase the funding for palliative and end of life care.  It cannot be right that many  hospices have spare bed capacity which they are unable to use because they don’t have the funding for staff, and this, while people die in hospitals waiting for a hospice place. 

View/download the statement in full below:

Contact
Rev Dr David Clements (CSR Northern Executive) 
+44 (0) 7720 286955 

Council on Social Responsibility
irishmethodist.org/csr-archive