Guernsey Chief Minister hits out at claims assisted dying is a 'grave sin'

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Guernsey
Politics
Monday 2 April 2018 at 10:39am

Credit: PA Images

Guernsey's Chief Minister has hit back at claims from Bishop Philip Egan of the Portsmouth Diocese who has dubbed assisted dying a 'grave sin'.

The island was mentioned in the Diocese weekly newsletter, and a separate letter written to Guernsey by Bishop Philip Egan, where he asks islanders to speak out against proposals to allow assisted dying in Guernsey.

'Thou shalt not kill’ (Ex 20: 13) and the injunction ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Mk 12: 31) are commandments that form the bedrock of not only Jewish and Christian morality but the teaching of all religions. Moreover, they are instinctive principles written deeply into every human heart. They ground the laws that govern every civilised society on earth. This is why the current proposal in Guernsey to legalise assisted suicide, so-called ‘mercy killing,’ is fundamentally subversive, horrific and dangerous, however well-intentioned. So I appeal to all people of good will in Guernsey to overturn this grim proposal coming before the State legislature, and at the same time to redouble the compassionate care of those who are frail and terminally ill. Let there be no death-clinics in Guernsey.

In response Deputy Gavin St Pier says he is disappointed by Bishop Egan's comments and thinks it is important islanders are given a choice when it comes to their end of life care.

Politicians will debate a petition led by Guernsey's Chief Minister next month, which calls on the government to consider legalising assisted dying.