Is the Assisted Suicide Bill about compassion, giving choice and dignity?
The Catholic Union, in partnership with Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London, is hosting a panel discussion on Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill on Sunday 24 November at 3.00pm.
Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, says: “There is insufficient scrutiny and consultation of Kim Leadbeater’s Bill which is concerning on several levels, but especially in this attempt to move doctors out of their primary duty to care for patients and towards participation in what will soon, if the bill is passed, become a new UK business sector of euthanasia provision. This panel discussion with experts in their fields will be an important event to help inform the debate and unpick how compassion, giving choice and dignity are concepts that are not synonymous with assisted suicide”.
The panel brings a range of expertise:
– Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, multi gold medal winning paralympic athlete and advocate for disability rights
– Dr Matthew Doré, Consultant Palliative Care Physician
– Professor Julian Hughes, Former Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist
– Professor David Albert Jones, Professor of Bioethics.
Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, Parish Priest Farm Street Church and Chair of Justice and Peace Commission Diocese of Westminster says: “We are looking forward to hosting this event which we hope will further clarify how this proposed bill is so disturbing. The right to life is the most fundamental human right so any move to tamper with this by legalising assisted suicide is a serious issue of justice which will also exploit the most vulnerable. All are welcome to this event, of whatever faith or none”.
Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, has written to members and supporters of the Catholic Union asking for their help and action regarding assisted dying and reminding their MPs that deliberately ending a life is not a job for doctors, the NHS or private hospitals.
The event, which will be followed by a Q&A, is free to attend but booking is required. For those unable to attend in person livestreaming will be available www.farmstreet.org.uk/livestream.