Faith leaders in Wales come out against Assisted Dying bill

Nov 21, 2024 by

from Religion Media Centre:

Faith leaders in Wales, including bishops from the Church in Wales, have joined forces to publish a statement against the proposed Assisted Dying Bill, which is being debated in Parliament next week.

The statement focuses on the common heritage of the different faiths, which they say commits them to care for people who are vulnerable, sick or dying. The statement reads: “Compassion is at the heart of all the great world religions. Life is sacred.”

Signatories include Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh leaders. They say the bill is “dangerous legislation” which would mean “the most vulnerable can no longer presume on the balance of healthcare being in their favour. Instead of helping those in need, such lawse risk encouraging them to end their lives.”

The bill would allow people over 18, who have been diagnosed with less than six months to live, to be given assistance to end their life, provided that two doctors and a judge agree.

But the two ministers who would be responsible for overseeing its implementation, health secretary Wes Streeting and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, have said that they will oppose the bill.

Related Posts

Tags

Share This