Church of England ‘adamantly rejects’ assisted suicide

The Church of England is “adamant in its rejection” of a push to legalise assisted suicide, according to the Secretary General of its General Synod.

William Nye made the comments ahead of the next Synod meeting where it will debate a motion on the importance of upholding the sanctity of life.

Mr Nye, a former civil servant and not an ordained minister, said: “A change in the law would undermine the intrinsic value of every human life.”

Life affirming

Nye outlined the Church of England’s “consistent” stance, which begins with the principles of “affirming life” and “caring for the vulnerable”.

He said the denomination’s position is based on a commitment to the good of all people and that assisted suicide is a decision which affects wider society.

A change in the law would undermine the intrinsic value of every human life.

Earlier this year, the House of Lords rejected another attempt to legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales.

Peers voted by 179 votes to 145 against Lord Forsyth’s amendment to the Health and Care Bill that sought to allow terminally ill adults to get help from doctors to kill themselves.

Legislation

It was the twelfth time since 1997 that proposals for assisted suicide related laws have not been passed by UK parliamentarians.

Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill did not clear its committee stage before the end of the parliamentary year in April.

In 2015, assisted suicide proposals were heavily defeated in the House of Commons.