Archbishop Eamon Martin urges voters to ask politicians to reject assisted suicide

Tomorrow, Wednesday, a bill will be introduced into the Westminster Parliament to propose a change in the law to permit assisted suicide, and on Thursday the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying will be discussed by Oireachtas members in Dáil Éireann.  
 
Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “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. Such legislation should be strongly opposed. 

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.”
 
Archbishop Martin continued, “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.”
 
On 24 June last the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference published a pastoral letter Freedom to Live Fully, Until Death Comes reflecting the Church’s teaching on care at the end of life, along with the accompanying video Through The Valley.  The pastoral letter stated:

‘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. 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.’ 

To view Through the Valley, a short movie drawing on the experience of family members and healthcare professionals that explores how we accompany people in the final stages of life; and to read  the pastoral letter Freedom to Live Fully, Until Death Comes, see https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2024/06/24/bishops-statement-on-end-of-life-care-freedom-to-live-fully-until-death-comes/