Assisted suicide

I am deeply concerned at the direction British society is heading in as regards ‘assisted dying’ as there is now mounting pressure to change our laws and allow people to be eased out of life, should pain and/or illness be making life unbearable. At present those wishing to commit suicide medically must travel to the infamous ‘Dignitas’ clinic in Switzerland, a facility which is doing a roaring trade by handing lethal cocktails to people who have lost the will to live. I find it profoundly unsettling and would remind everyone that the Church has always taught that the gift of life should be protected from conception to death.

One of the most infamous Dignitas cases concerned Daniel James, a young man tragically injured playing rugby, resulting in full body paralysis. Quite understandably, following this life changing incident, Daniel entered a period of profound depression. He then managed to convince himself and his loved ones that life had come to its end. He died in the Dignitas clinic after drinking a potion which assisted his suicide.

The real tragedy here was not the injury, in my opinion, but that his depression was allowed to be seen as an end. Because what others, who have been injured in a similar manner, will tell you is that this depression eventually lifts and you can adjust to your new, more limited life. Furthermore post paralysis life soon becomes every bit as pleasurable as life before. If only this young man had been given more time and treatment, if only assisted suicide was outlawed, he might have refound a reason for living.

And then we might consider the many elderly and seriously ill people who choose to use ‘Dignitas’. What if such clinics were opened in England? Would this allow for the compassionate ending of miserable lives? Many believe so but I feel that the option to ‘put granny down’ will soon be abused by greedy and insensitive relatives. The human condition is a wretched one and, much as it pains me, I maintain that pressure would be put on many a vulnerable or elderly patient as ruthless relatives look to line pockets and/or alleviate a burden and duty in life. Furthermore testing for such fraud would not be easy as some people can even delude themselves as to motives where the loss of loves ones is concerned.

In my opinion we already have a good system. There is no reason why medicine cannot be withdrawn in order to allow nature to take its course when people approach death. Furthermore pain control can be adminstered in large enough doses to ensure suffering is kept to a minimum. This is ample provision to ensure dignity and love at the end of life.

We have already abandoned the unborn to cruel fate in the Western world, I guess its only logical that all ‘inconvenient’ lives should be included in that number. But let us pause and think again, for it is only a small step from here to deciding that all those who no longer serve purpose, and who drain the NHS budget, should be offered compassionate leave. This is not the way of life which Christ holds holy. We who are Christian see in those who approach death, the patient suffering of our Lord. We know that, in their distress, they are united with one who cares for them and who can bring light out of darkness. Let us speak out with one voice and ensure that we do not end life prematurely and rob people of their vocation and calling. Suicide is not something anyone of us should embrace.