NZ churches oppose physician-assisted suicide

[CopyBoy]

[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The ecumenical body which advises church members of the “spiritual, ethical and cultural issues connected to biotechnology and related issues” in New Zealand has responded to a government consultation by stressing its opposition to the introduction of “physician-assisted suicide.”

In making its submission, the InterChurch Bioethics Council (ICBC), an ecumenical, cross-cultural body supported by the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches of New Zealand, accepted that its views were not shared by all members of its constituent denominations, but it said that “as a designated committee, we are providing our ‘expert’ opinion following our own discussions, research and reading over the past three years and some limited wider consultation.”

The ICBC criticised the country’s Health Select Committee for considering the “social, legal, medical, cultural, financial, ethical, and philosophical implications” of such a move; saying that they “have negated to include spiritual considerations which are also part of current legislation guidelines.”

anglicannews.org/news/2016/01/nz-churches-oppose-physician-assisted-suicide.aspx

 

[peter26]

Good to see different churches working together to uphold the sanctity of life.