Christian leaders from all over the world have gathered on the island of Guernsey to fight assisted suicide. A group of Catholic, Anglican and Methodist leaders have banded together to stand against a proposed piece of legislation in order to save the lives of vulnerable people.
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The small island off the coast of France, which has a population of roughly a little over 60,000, is considering implementing a law that would allow for assisted suicide.
On May 16, the States of Guernsey, the islands parliament, will debate the legal provision, with a vote to follow. The island would be the first to legalize assisted suicide in the British Isles if passed.
Many citizens are against the provision, while others are for it. But the biggest crowd standing up against the provision are the church leaders on the island. So far, more than 50 church leaders wrote and signed a letter that expressed their reasoning for opposing euthanasia.
The church leaders warned that the provision targets people who are vulnerable and that such measure puts them in harm’s way. They believe the provision especially poses a threat to the elderly, those with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in society.
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“We believe the proposal to introduce a legal provision for assisted dying to be misplaced and indeed a danger for us as a community, particularly for the most vulnerable in our island,” the letter read.
The letter placed an emphasis on the importance of celebrating all life, and not seek to terminate it.
“We believe the States of Guernsey should focus on the care of vulnerable people, support the Les Bourgs Hospice, increase mental health provision and care well for those with age-related dementia. As a community we need to celebrate and support all of life and not actively seek to terminate life,” the letter continued.
They ended their letter by commending those that work in the medical profession on the Island:
“We fully support the care that our wonderful nurses, doctors, specialists and those in the caring professions provide on the island.”
(H/T: Catholic Herald)