More than 1,200 Christian leaders sign open letter to MPs opposing assisted dying bill

Ahead of parliament debating a law to introduce assisted dying, more than 1,200 church and Christian leaders have signed a letter opposing plans.

The letter is backed by the leaders of the Evangelical Alliance and Churches Together in England and national leaders from a wide range of networks and denominations. It has been backed by the leaders of national organisations including Christians Against Poverty and Street Pastors who work in communities throughout the UK, as well as long term campaigners against assisted dying laws; CARE and the Christian Medical Fellowship.

The leaders say in their appeal to Members of Parliament: ​“This bill, in our view, undermines the value of life and lacks the safeguards needed to protect those most at risk from being coerced into premature death.”

As Christian leaders the letter makes clear that they have both principled opposition to the plans due to their beliefs, but also significant practical concerns about how it would work and the impact on the most vulnerable.

The proposed law raises some of the most foundational ethical and moral issues for society and as the leaders note: ​“By prioritising individual choice, we risk ignoring the broader consequences on healthcare professionals who commit to act for the good of their patients, on family members burdened with the aftermath, and on wider society.”

Commenting on the publication of the letter Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance said: “It’s essential MPs hear the concerns of their constituents as to why this law shouldn’t be allowed to pass. This letter represents leaders from communities all across the UK, as well as people involved in vital ministries to some of the most vulnerable people in the UK.”

The letter goes on to consider some of the practical issues involved, how it will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society and how funding of palliative care is fragile, and provision is patchy. International evidence is also considered, and with that, the prospect of normalising suicide and the potential for access to an assisted death to be widened in the future.

Calver also said: “As Christians we place incredible value on life, but that belief is shared by many others of all faiths and none. We should not be undermining our support for life, especially for those who are close to death, instead we should be focusing on how we can provide better support and care and as a society demonstrate the value all people have at all points through their life.”

Perhaps most significant among the concerns raised by these leaders in their letter is the potential for this new law to lead to the most vulnerable in society being coerced or unduly influenced into ending their life prematurely. This pressure might be explicit, but it could also encourage people close to death that they would be less of a burden if they pursued this route.

The letter concludes by urging MPs to vote against the bill on 29 November as it fails to protect the most vulnerable in society.