The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that any legalisation of assisted suicide or euthanasia would be a “disaster” for Britain, creating circumstances where life would be “legally declared to be not worth living.”
In addressing the Church of England General Synod last night, Dr Rowan Williams said that any “right to die” would undermine the sanctity of life and potentially create similar effects to the legalisation of abortion over four decades ago.
He said: “The default position on abortion has shifted quite clearly over the last 40 years and to seek a change in the default position on the sanctity of life would be a disaster.”
“We are committed as Christians to the belief that every life in every imaginable situation is infinitely precious in the sight of God.
“To say that there are certain conditions in which life is legally declared to be not worth living is a major shift in the moral and spiritual atmosphere in which we live. We can be realistic, we can be compassionate, in the application of the existing law.”
Falconer’s Commission
Dr William’s comments come shortly after proposals were issued by Lord Falconer’s ‘Commission on Assisted Dying’ in early January, which recommended that doctors should be allowed to assist terminally ill patients to kill themselves, as long as the patients had less than a year to live, and provided they meet certain criteria.
A motion, backed overwhelmingly by the Synod, criticised the commission for lacking independence and placing vulnerable people at risk.
Dr Williams added:“Law exists so that people may be protected, especially the vulnerable. Law exists to provide equality of protection for all.
“What you are faced with here is a legal outcome in which protection is diminished not only for vulnerable individuals but also for the medical profession.”
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“We welcome the Archbishop’s comments, which sound a clear warning against legalising assisted suicide. Human lives have objective value, and this truth must be proclaimed and reflected in law for the good of society.
“People who are suffering at the end of their lives need to be shown compassion and given better palliative care.”
Sources
Resources
Audio: Archbishop of Canterbury speaking to Synod about assisted suicide
Christian Concern: End of Life