The Bishop of Norwich the Rt Rev Graham Usher outlines his deep concerns about assisted suicide proposals Over a ministry of nearly 30 years, I have spent many hours with those who knew they were dying. Some have wanted to squeeze out every ounce of life with loved ones. Others have gone into overdrive fulfilling their bucket list of things to experience.
Others have, in a sense, calmly turned their face to heaven. The care people have received has been personal and touching, at home, in hospital and in hospices. Physical pain has been significantly eased by incredible advances in medicine.
Death is what we all face one day, though we don’t like to talk about it. Kim Leadbeater’s private member’s bill, currently before Parliament, asks us deep questions about death. It needs to be a serious and sensitive debate.
It is a hugely emotive topic and not all of us will agree on this matter. As the media turn their attention to conversations in Parliament, we will naturally find our memories turning to times we’ve spent with loved ones in their final weeks, days and moments. I would like to outline the four reasons why I am so concerned about the possible introduction of assisted suicide.
I am concerned about the experience of countries which have legalised it, the impact assisted suicide would have on the most vulnerable, the lack of time the bill has had for scrutiny, and what a change in the law would say about the value of human life. The experience of countries where as.