Assisted dying debate: The French Protestant Federation's president claims: "Fraternity is not a means of evasion."
Worried Religious Leaders Lobby Against Assisted Dying Bill
Leaders from various religious communities are voicing concerns over the pending assisted dying bill. They've penned an op-ed (Nouvelle fenêtre) alluding to "grave issues" that could stem from the bill, currently under debate in the National Assembly. Pastor Christian Krieger, president of the Protestant Federation of France, a signatory, stated, "Fraternity isn't about offering an easy escape. The law of fraternity is all about a human presence during the twilight of lives."
: End of Life: Opponents Fear Assisted Dying Due to Inadequate Palliative Care
Pastor Krieger explained their apprehension, "The bill raises alarm as it promotes a right to assisted suicide and euthanasia. We fear its evolution and felt compelled to speak out." He believes there's a significant lack in palliative care understanding and culture, making a change to the legal framework premature and inappropriate.
Krieger highlighted a potential side-effect of such a law: "Those dependent, the ill, disabled, elderly, may feel more intensely their circumstances due to the option of assisted suicide, leading them to feel it's their duty to leave."
He estimated that in countries where assisted suicide is legal, the rate of isolated and impoverished people resorting to it is staggering. This, he said, reflects a worrying impact on the most vulnerable.
When questioned about the op-ed, Pastor Krieger shared, "It was mostly the Protestants and Catholics who connected and expressed the need to act. But the signature was quickly endorsed by all religious leaders."
Ethical, Moral, and Practical Concerns
Religious leaders' concerns encompass ethical, moral, and practical issues. They argue that assisted dying contradicts fundamental moral and ethical principles and could result in a slippery slope, diminishing the value of human life. Vulnerable individuals might be pressured to end their lives prematurely.
They also worry about diverting resources from palliative care, essential for enhancing the quality of life for those suffering from terminal illnesses. Instead, they promote strengthening palliative care services rather than legalizing assisted dying.
There's a concern that the bill could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, and those with limited access to healthcare, who might feel obligated to end their lives due to societal pressures or lack of support. They also question the bill's efficiency in protecting those who may be coerced or influenced into assisted dying.
Potential Impact on Palliative Care and the Vulnerable
If resources are redirected from palliative care to assisted dying, quality of care for those opting to live might decline. Additionally, vulnerable individuals might succumb to societal pressures or financial constraints, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
In conclusion, religious leaders are worried about the moral, ethical, and practical ramifications of the assisted dying bill, particularly its impact on palliative care and vulnerable populations. They advocate for boosting support and resources for those near the end of their lives rather than legalizing assisted dying.
- The ethical concerns raise a question about whether the legalization of assisted dying could compromise the fundamental moral principles, introducing a potential slippery slope that devalues human life.
- Given the prospect of inadequate palliative care, the religious leaders express distress at theidea that vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, and those with limited access to healthcare may feel compelled to choose assisted dying due to societal pressures, or lack of support, thereby having a detrimental impact on health-and-wellness and mental-health.
