‘We must pray the Isle of Man rejects assisted suicide’

A church leader has urged Christians to pray that the Isle of Man pulls back from the “extreme dangers” of introducing assisted suicide.

Speaking to Premier Christian News, Canon Dr Chris Sugden criticised MHK Alex Allinson’s “dangerous” Assisted Dying Bill, which would legalise assisted suicide for adults that are deemed to be terminally ill and “reasonably expected” to die within twelve months.

If the Legislative Council approves the amended Bill, the first assisted suicide could take place by 2027.

‘Hearts’

Canon Sugden, who is the Chairman of Anglican Mainstream, explained: “My wife is a retired cancer consultant. She insists that medical diagnosis and prognosis is never an accurate science. People live, often far longer than doctors expect them.”

He emphasised: “Pray that God will move in the hearts of those who are taking these decisions to see the extreme dangers that they’re putting people in.”

Isle of Man GP Dr Martin Rankin also warned about the risk of doctors missing coercion, saying: “I’m not going to know if somebody has been coerced by a relative into ending their life sooner than they wish. So I really won’t be getting involved in it.”

Local doctors oppose the move, with a 2023 survey finding nearly three quarters of respondents were against a change in the law.

Censorship

In the UK, Kit Malthouse MP has called on Parliament to censor criticism of the Committee tasked with scrutinising Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill.

A co-sponsor of the Bill, he called on the Committee tasked with scrutinising it to consider ways to “correct” dissenting voices.

The Committee has been widely criticised for being unfairly stacked with supporters of assisted suicide, for excluding key opponents from presenting evidence in person, and for rejecting amendments to protect the vulnerable.

Under the proposals, patients in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live would be allowed to receive help to kill themselves. A final vote is expected in April to decide whether the Bill progresses to the Lords.