Church leaders' 'deep concern' over assisted dying

Churches Alive in Mann represents the main Christian denominations on the island

The progress of proposed laws that would allow assisted dying on the Isle of Man was an issue of "sadness and deep concern", a group representing church leaders has said.

The Assisted Dying Bill 2023 was agreed by Manx politicians last week and ha reached the stage of being sent for Royal Assent.

Churches Alive in Mann said the political debate on the issue had "done nothing to lessen concerns" and there was "very little effective provision to guard against coercion".

Alex Allinson MHK, who brought the bill forward, said he remained committed to ensuring that Tynwald "reinforce the safeguards and governance within the bill" through secondary legislation.

Supporters of the bill have also said the proposed law change would give people a choice and prevent prolonged suffering.

To have an assisted death a person must be over the age of 18 and have received a terminal diagnosis and be "reasonably expected" to die within 12 months.

They must also have been resident on the island for five years and registered with an Isle of Man GP, have the the legal capacity to make the decision, and have the decision verified by two independent doctors.

'Greater safeguards'

Churches Alive in Mann represents local branches of the Church of England, Methodist Church, Catholic Church, United Reformed Church, Living Hope, Elim Onchan, Salvation Army and the Broadway Baptist Church.

In a statement, the group said the "very existence" of the legislation would "inevitably cause some of our elderly, disabled or vulnerable people to feel more of a burden".

It said proposals rejected by politicians to include a social worker or person trained in spotting coercion as a third person to assess a patient would have "provided greater safeguards".

The group said: "We very much hope and request that opportunities to include this be pursued in the implementation of this legislation."

The statement also said "the value of any member of our society is not determined by variable measures of the quality of life" and the "premature ending of individual lives will inevitably diminish the high value we place on all live."

The group said it urged politicians "to follow through with their expressed intent" to ensure the safeguards were "addressed and enshrined in practice".

In response, Allinson said while he "appreciated and respected" those with opposing views, assisted dying was "not a religious issue" and there were people "of many denominations" in support of the "provision of greater autonomy and dignity".

He said he remained committed to ensuring that Tynwald "reinforce the safeguards and governance within the bill through the introduction of guidance, training, codes of practice and drafting of the secondary legislation and regulations", which would take place once the bill had received Royal Assent.