revealed 19 August 2024
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The Church submitted written proof to a gaggle of MSPs who’re investigating the case for legalizing assisted dying in Scotland.
The aim of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Sick Adults (Scotland) Invoice is to introduce a authorized type of assisted dying with a terminal sickness for individuals over the age of 16.
It’s being scrutinized by the Scottish Parliament’s Well being, Social Care and Sport Committee and is at one stage of a three-part course of.
The Church is “partially opposed” to the legislation turning into legislation resulting from its historic opposition to assisted dying, recognizing that this place is at present underneath evaluate following debates and selections taken by the Normal Meeting in 2023 and 2024.
The Church has intensive expertise of strolling with individuals on the finish of their lives, and for a lot of the present social taboo on killing implies that our function in Christ’s name to care is obvious.
Nevertheless, for others it could possibly assist present an assisted dying choice to terminally sick individuals – a perspective knowledgeable by their severe and intense private experiences.
A working group fashioned by the Theological Discussion board and the Religion Motion Program management crew is at present exploring in additional depth the varied views held by church members on the matter and can report back to the Normal Meeting subsequent 12 months.
‘range of opinion’
The written submission, which is on the market to learn right here, was developed in session with a spread of stakeholders together with Crossreach, the working identify of the Church’s Social Care Council, the Equality, Range and Inclusion Group, the Theological Discussion board and the Assisted Dying Overview Group.
It was submitted by the Church’s Public Life and Social Justice Program Group, which is chaired by Emma Jackson.
He stated: “The difficulty of assisted dying is delicate and private, but of deep significance to us within the Church.
“We acknowledge that this is usually a painful and troublesome idea for a few of us to ponder, and we acknowledge the range of opinion and theology on this problem.
“We’ve got tried to debate and disagree on this vastly important public problem and our response intends to signify this strategy.
“On this work we purpose to supply constructive suggestions to the Scottish Parliament and deepen our collective understanding.
“Our submission is just not the ultimate phrase on assisted dying from the Church of Scotland, it’s a contribution to the controversy concerning the Invoice.
“We hope that we could also be invited to present oral proof as a part of the committee’s consideration, and we encourage church members and ministers to jot down to their MSPs within the autumn and winter to share emotions and concepts concerning the invoice.”
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Sick Adults (Scotland) Invoice was launched as a Member’s Invoice by Liam MacArthur, Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney.
This autumn, Church of Scotland Presbyteries are supporting dialogue and dialogue occasions/workshops across the content material of the Invoice and the Church’s personal evaluate.
All are welcome to attend and the contributions and expertise of CrossReach workers will probably be significantly welcome.
Particulars of occasions can be found from the Public Life and Social Justice Program Workforce or from particular person Presbytery Clerks by emailing mmacdonald@churchofscotland.org.uk.
That is the third time up to now 14 years that the Scottish Parliament has examined the controversial problem.
In 2010, MSPs rejected the Finish of Life Help Invoice by 16 votes to 85 within the first stage of the method, and the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Invoice was rejected within the first stage in 2015 by 36 votes to 82.
