Church submits written evidence on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

The Church has submitted written evidence to a group of MSPs who are investigating the case for legalising assisted dying in Scotland.

The purpose of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is to introduce a lawful form of assisted dying for people over the age of 16 with a terminal illness.

Scrutiny is being undertaken by the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and is at stage one of a three-part process.

The Church is "partially opposed" to the legislation becoming law due to its historic opposition to assisted dying while recognising that this position is currently under review following debates and decisions made by the General Assembly in 2023 and 2024.

The Church has extensive experience of walking with people in the final stages of their lives and for many the current societal prohibition on killing means that our role in Christ's call to care is clear.

However, for others this may lead them to support giving terminally ill people the option of an assisted death – views informed by profound and intense personal experience.

A working group formed by the Theological Forum and Faith Action Programme Leadership Team is currently exploring more deeply the diverse views held by Church members on the subject and will report to the General Assembly next year.

'Diversity of opinion'

The written submission, which is available to read here, was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including CrossReach, the operating name of the Church's Social Care Council, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group, Theological Forum and Assisted Dying review group.

It was submitted by the Church's Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group which is led by Emma Jackson.

She said: "The issue of assisted dying is sensitive and personal, yet of deep importance to us in the Church.

"We are mindful that it can be a painful and difficult idea for some of us to even think about and we acknowledge the diversity of opinion and theology on this.

"We have sought to discuss and disagree well on this hugely significant public issue, and our response seeks to represent this approach.

"In this work we aim to offer constructive comment to the Scottish Parliament and deepen our collective understanding.

"Our submission is not the final word from the Church of Scotland on the issue of assisted dying, it is a contribution to the debate about the Bill.

"We hope that we might be invited by the Committee to give oral evidence as part of its consideration, and we also encourage church members and ministers to write to their MSPs to share feelings and ideas about the Bill over the course of the autumn and winter."

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was introduced as a member's bill by Liam McArthur, Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney.

This autumn, Church of Scotland presbyteries are supporting discussion and conversation events/workshops around the content of the bill and the Church's own review.

All are welcome to participate and the contributions and experiences of CrossReach staff, medics and MSPs would be particularly welcome.

Details of events being held are available from the Public Life and Social Justice Programme team by emailing mmacdonald@churchofscotland.org.uk or from individual presbytery clerks.

This is the third time the Scottish Parliament has examined the controversial subject over the last 14 years.

In 2010, MSPs rejected the End of Life Assistance Bill by 85 votes to 16 at stage one in the process and the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill was rejected in 2015 by 82 votes to 36 at stage one.