UK Orthodox bishops warn against assisted suicide: ‘We must provide care, not killing’

Orthodox hierarchs in the United Kingdom were among the signatories of an appeal opposing the legalisation of assisted suicide. “We must provide care, not killing,” the bishops said.

The letter was published ahead of the return to the British Parliament of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would have allowed terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to seek assistance to end their lives, subject to certain conditions.

Orthodox signatories included Greek Orthodox Archbishop Nikitas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop Silouan, Romanian Orthodox Archbishop Atanasie, Russian Orthodox Bishop Matthew of Sourozh and Serbian Orthodox Bishop Nektarije.

The Orthodox clergy warned of the implications the legislation could have for society’s attitude towards human life.

“Passing this Bill would move limited resources away from striving to offer the best possible care for vulnerable people facing long and painful illnesses, and towards offering ways to end their lives.”

Enormous pressure on vulnerable people The hierarchs also cited experiences in other jurisdictions where assisted-dying legislation expanded…