Guernsey Refuses Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
The Bailiwick of Guernsey has rejected a bill to decriminalize euthanasia and assisted suicide on the island, following the example of the 2015 decision of the Chamber of Commons to refuse a similar bill for the United Kingdom.
The bill was unanimously rejected on May 18, 2018, by the members of the Anglo-Norman parliament, who declared they prefer to investigate “measures necessary to improve quality of life and health outcomes for all islanders towards the end of their lives.”
The archbishop of Portsmouth, whose diocese covers the island of Guernsey, rejoiced at hearing this news. Bishop Philip Egan:
Delighted to learn that Guernsey has rejected the proposals for physician assisted suicide and euthanasia! Thanks be to God for answering our prayer during this Great Novena leading to Pentecost.
While Guernsey does enjoy relative autonomy, the island remains a possession of the British Crown. In the United Kingdom, euthanasia is illegal and both it and assisted suicide are punishable by 14 years in prison. A bill proposed in 2015 proved an unsuccessful attempt to change this status.
Nonetheless, ever since 2002, terminating treatment is authorized in certain cases in the United Kingdom, with the patient’s consent. And after a case of jurisprudence in 2010, legal proceedings are much less automatic against persons who help a loved one commit suicide out of “compassion”, so long as the latter clearly expressed his or her intention. This is how the grounds are laid for future changes.
Sources: Catholic Herald / La Croix / FSSPX.News – 6/1/2018
