The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has expressed its ‘dismay’ and warned of the ‘danger’ of moves to introduce Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia across these islands. Unanimously opposing such a move, it affirmed ‘the innate dignity and value of human life from conception to death’.
The debate took place in a full house on the opening day of the annual gathering in Belfast, which sees ministers and elders from the all-Ireland denominations 500-plus congregations, along with guest from overseas, discuss and debate issues that affect church life. At the same time, the Assembly also gives collective voice to some of the concerns relating to a range of pressing issues that society is facing – including Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia.
Speaking during a thoughtful debate, with a compelling sense of urgency Rev Daniel Kane, Convener of the Council for Public Affairs, which brought what he described as a ‘significant and strategic report’, said the council wanted,
“to express our deep desire to engage both the whole Christian Church, and all of society, in affirming the importance and innate dignity of every human life from conception to death as a precious gift from God…The current situation in other places within these islands helps set the disturbing backdrop to this debate.”
He was referring to recent developments when the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying recommended a change in the law in the Republic of Ireland for both Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. In the Scottish Parliament, the McArthur Bill is to be debated this autumn, while in the Isle of Man’s Tynwald, members of its legislature voted in favour of the basic principle, with legislation moving forward for both Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide at a later date.
Another UK Crown Dependency, Jersey, voted in favour last month for legislation to be enacted in 18 months’ time in relation to terminal illness. It makes the Channel Island the first to legalise Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in these islands. At Westminster, whoever becomes Prime Minister after 4 July, both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have said they will provide a free vote, with parliamentary time made available, on the issue.
“We believe that any change to the law which permits assisted suicide and euthanasia, no matter how minimal in its initial form, raises the most fundamental of questions about the value we place on human life as a society.”
“For people of faith, and indeed no faith, human life, its preservation, its dignity, and its protection, are moral and precious values, which we believe society casts off at its peril.
The Convener concluded by saying,
“As an alternative we’re calling for the mainstreaming, investing in and strengthening of palliative care services to support those who are nearing the end of their lives as an urgent focus and priority for all jurisdictions across these islands. The current direction of travel, that will impact on some of the most vulnerable in our society is not the hallmark of a mature, caring and compassionate society.”
The Resolutions passed by the General Assembly
“That the General Assembly continue to affirm the innate dignity and value of human life from conception to death and express its dismay and warn of the danger and historical and cultural significance of moves to introduce Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia across the devolved parliaments of the UK and Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland.”
The General Assembly also adopted the overall direction of travel set out in the Supplementary Report (pages S6-S9) and encouraged the Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Task Group proceed with ‘the utmost urgency’.
Resolutions also “express[ed] "deep concern about the recommendation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee to legislate for Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia, which is will create precedent in undermining human dignity and the sanctity of life” and “encourage the Council for Public Affairs to engage proactively on this issue, promoting a compassionate and biblical response for the good of all in society across both jurisdictions.”
