The head of the Catholic church in Ireland has warned that the possible introduction of assisted dying on both sides of the border is an “affront to a safe and protected society”.
All-Ireland Primate, Archbishop Eamon Martin, spoke out ahead of a bill being brought before Westminster on Wednesday that proposes terminally ill patients in England and Wales would have the right to end their own lives.
The bill is being introduced a day before TDs in the Dáil will discuss the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying.
Currently, assisting a suicide in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland, England and Wales carries a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
In Scotland, where there is no specific law against assisted dying, those who help a person take their own life can find themselves prosecuted for offences including murder or culpable homicide.
Earlier this year, an assisted dying bill was brought before the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
Meanwhile, in March, both Sinn Féin and the SDLP said they would support changes to the law in Northern Ireland, where assisted dying remains illegal under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.
The Catholic Church is steadfastly opposed to any change in the law that would allow for assisted dying, even for those suffering painful terminal illness.
Archbishop Martin said any legislation in the island of Ireland that would allow for assisted dying must be “strongly opposed”.
“For all those who cherish a culture of life across these islands, the introduction of laws to permit assisted suicide is an affront to a safe and protective society,” he said.
“As a society we are defined by the extent to which we care for our most vulnerable persons, including those suffering from disabilities, terminal illness or otherwise nearing the end of life.”
“While this is a Gospel imperative, it is noteworthy that medical and healthcare professionals are also gravely concerned at an evolving political ideology which would interfere with their calling to ‘do no harm’ and which would legally erode the right to life at all stages.”
Some critics of assisted dying warn that some end-of-life patients may be coerced into ending their lives, or falsely believe they are a burden to loved ones.
In June, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference published a pastotal letter outlining the church’s reasons for opposing any law change.
“By legislating for assisted suicide or euthanasia, the State would contribute to undermining the confidence of people who are terminally ill, who want to be cared for and want to live life as fully as possible until death naturally comes,” Archbishop Martin said.
“People who are dying are entitled to be accompanied in a holistic way. We believe that palliative care services need to be more widely available, in hospitals and hospices and in the community.”
He added: “I urge all people of goodwill to contact their MPs as soon as possible to ask them to reject this law. In addition, as we expect that a general election will be held in Ireland shortly, I ask voters to contact their TDs and senators to ascertain their commitment to protecting end of life care, and to seek inclusion in election manifestos for investment to enhance palliative care and hospice provision.”
