Welsh archbishop says legalizing euthanasia will ‘open the floodgates’

LEICESTER, United Kingdom (AP) — Another British archbishop has spoken out against a proposed law that would legalize euthanasia, saying it would “open the floodgates and put enormous pressure on the most vulnerable.”

Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff-Menevia in Wales made his statement on Wednesday as MP Kim Leadbeater introduced a bill to legalize euthanasia for the terminally ill in England and Wales.

“The new bill marks a very serious moment for our country. It raises serious questions about what kind of society we want to be,” he said.

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O’Toole said his particular concern was whether “we will continue to promote appropriate care for the dying and those who are at risk because of disability or age.”

“We need to appreciate and appreciate these people among us. Our countries have such a rich tradition of end-of-life care. We should invest more in this care,” he said.

The archbishop said all human life is sacred and his message was addressed not only to people of faith but to all people of good will, “because the proposals for medical assistance in dying not only contradict the dignity and sanctity of life, they also constitute a such pose “great dangers for vulnerable people.”

“If the bill were to become law, the experiences of countries such as Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and some parts of the United States show that the most vulnerable will very quickly feel at risk,” he said.

“In Oregon, often suggested as a model by advocates of euthanasia in the United Kingdom, over 47 percent of those who accept it cited a burden on family, friends and caregivers as the reason,” O’Toole said.

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He also noted that Belgium has extended an initial permit that was reserved only for adults to include voluntary euthanasia of children.

“There have been some extraordinary individual cases – euthanasia for anorexia nervosa, euthanasia for someone who regretted gender reassignment, euthanasia for twin brothers who were afraid of losing their sight,” the archbishop said.

“Proponents of the bill will say that these cases are not possible in our country under the proposed law. But the history of such laws shows that once permission is granted for a range of circumstances, it is soon extended. It is not just this “slippery slope” of the proposed law that we should be concerned about. Proponents of the bill should also not try to frame our opposition as a purely religious matter. The deeper question is the inherent dignity of every human being, especially when compared to people with disabilities, the elderly or the vulnerable. “If we as a society make it easier for certain categories of people – in this case, terminally ill people – to commit suicide, and try to prevent the suicide of others – healthy and young people – then what we are ultimately saying is that some people’s lives are less valuable and more worthy than others.” , O’Toole continued.

He said those arguing for a change in the law say it is about dying, not other vulnerable people, but noted in framing their arguments: “They are not appealing to the reality of a person’s approaching death.”

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“They speak more about the supposed humiliation of dependence on others, about reduced mental performance or about the fear of becoming a burden to family and friends. But to say as a society that these are intolerable would ultimately be tantamount to condemning all disabled, elderly and vulnerable people,” said the archbishop.

“It would open the floodgates and put enormous pressure on the most vulnerable. There would be a feeling that there was a duty to die. “Many would feel uncertain about the future and conclude that they are a burden on their loved ones and the healthcare system,” he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the Anglican Church of England told the BBC that legalizing euthanasia “paves the way for it to be expanded so that people who are not in this situation.” [terminally ill] asking about it or feeling pressured to ask about it.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told the British news channel that in his lifetime he had seen a significant deterioration of the idea that “everyone, no matter how useful they are, is equal to society.”

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In his statement, the Welsh Catholic archbishop said the proposed law “marks a very serious moment for our country”.

“It raises serious questions about what kind of society we want to be. Of particular concern is whether we will continue to promote adequate care for the dying and those at risk because of disability or age. We need to value and appreciate these people among us,” O’Toole said.

Follow Charles Collins on X: @CharlesinRome