The Bishop of London is among 29 faith leaders who have joined forces to oppose legalising assisted dying.
An open letter from the group, representing Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs warns that any change to the law on assisted dying Bill will lead to people being pressured into ending their lives to avoid burdening families or the NHS. They say a change in law will turn a “right to die” into people thinking they have a “duty to die”.
The second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is due to be debated in Parliament this week.
As well as Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, who is a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, other signatories include the Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Most Rev Vincent Nichols, the CEO of Evangelical Alliance Gavin Calver and the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis.
The letter, published in The Observer, argues that a truly compassionate response to the end of life lies in investment in palliative care:
“Part of the role of faith leaders in communities is to provide spiritual and pastoral care for the sick and for the dying. We hold the hands of loved ones in their final days, we pray with families both before and after death. It is to this vocation that we have been called, and it is from this vocation that we write.
“Our pastoral roles make us deeply concerned about the impact the bill would have on the most vulnerable, opening up the possibility of life-threating abuse and coercion. This is a concern we know is shared by many people, with and without faith.”
The letter says that even when surrounded by loving family and friends, people towards the end of their life can still feel that they are a burden, and this is ‘especially the case’ while adult social care remains underfunded:
“In this environment, it is easy to see how a ‘right to die’ could all too easily end in feeling you have a duty to die.
“We believe that a truly compassionate response to the end of life lies in the provision of high-quality palliative care services to all who need them.
“While there are many examples of excellent palliative care in this country, it remains worryingly underfunded.
“Investment in palliative care is the policy of a truly compassionate nation. It is the way to ensure that everyone in society, including the most vulnerable, receives the care they deserve at the end of life."
The letter comes as the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has strongly criticised the Bill. She's told her constituents she's profoundly concerned about the legislation - not just for religious reasons - but because it could create a "slippery slope" towards "death on demand".
Campaigners argue a change in the law would allow for dignity in death.