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Orthodox Hierarchs in Britain Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill
Orthodox hierarchs in Britain opposed proposed assisted-suicide legislation, arguing that vulnerable people should receive greater access to care rather than assistance in ending their lives.
LONDON — Orthodox hierarchs in Britain joined other religious leaders in opposing legislation that would have legalized assisted suicide for certain terminally ill adults, urging lawmakers to prioritize care for vulnerable people rather than assistance in ending their lives.
The appeal was issued ahead of the return of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to Parliament. Among its Orthodox signatories were Abp. Nikitas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Abp. Silouan (Antiochian), Abp. Atanasie (Romanian), Bp. Matthew of Sourozh (Russian), and Bp. Nectarie (Serbian).
The hierarchs warned that the legislation could affect society’s understanding of the value of human life and said its passage would divert limited resources from providing care to people suffering from prolonged and painful illnesses toward offering means of ending their lives. “We must provide care, not killing,” they stated.
The Orthodox leaders also cited developments in jurisdictions where assisted-dying laws have expanded. They referenced changes in Canada that removed a requirement that death be reasonably foreseeable and cited Oregon data concerning patients who reported concerns about becoming a burden to family, friends, or medical personnel. “We can be sure that the introduction of legalized physician-assisted suicide would lead to enormous pressure on the vulnerable and elderly people in our society,” they said.
The House of Commons rejected the bill by 286 votes to 270, preventing it from proceeding in its current form. Gordon Macdonald of Care Not Killing subsequently called for greater attention to Britain’s palliative-care system and funding to ensure patients can receive appropriate care and treatment with dignity.
The British Orthodox hierarchs have also addressed other life-related legislation. In March, they called on lawmakers to reject a provision concerning abortion that they warned could permit abortions at any stage of pregnancy and for any reason. The House of Lords subsequently retained the provision, which pro-life organizations described as a major change in British abortion law.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Eastern Christian bishops in the UK signed a letter opposing assisted suicide.
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