Faith leaders warn of particular dangers of assisted dying legislation for vulnerable women

‘We write as a group of women of faith from different traditions and backgrounds passionate about care for people in vulnerable situations, many of whom have dedicated our professional lives to preventing male violence against women and girls.’

Women from different faiths including the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally have joined in voicing safeguarding concerns over the assisted dying legislation.

In an open letter on the Theos website, they say they are particularly concerned about the impact the legislation would have on women.

“We write as a group of women of faith from different traditions and backgrounds passionate about care for people in vulnerable situations, many of whom have dedicated our professional lives to preventing male violence against women and girls,” they say.

“We hold a variety of views on the principle of legalising assisted dying. However, we are all clear that the current legislation – The Terminally Ill Adults Bill – progressing through parliament, has insufficient safeguards to protect some of the most marginalised in society, particularly women subjected to gender–based violence, and abuse by a partner, who also experience intersecting barriers to a full and safe life. 

“We are concerned that the proposed legislation could create a new tool to harm vulnerable women, particularly those being subjected to domestic abuse and coercive control, by helping them to end their lives.”

A report out last month showed that the number of domestic abuse victims who died by suicide in England and Wales was higher than the number of people killed by their abusive partner, for the second year running. 

In the open letter, the women faith leaders continue, “We know too that domestic abuse victims who are also women of faith can face a particular form of abuse at the hands of their perpetrators, who may weaponise theologies and culture to harm and control their victims. We are concerned that the assisted dying legislation, as it stands, fails to take account of how faith and its role at the end of life, as well as its use by both perpetrators and the women they abuse, create complex dynamics that can lead to vulnerable women, who may also hold strong religious beliefs, seeing no way out but death.”

Their letter came after a weekend when Catholic bishops throughout England and Wales sent pastoral letters to be read in parishes warning of the dangers of the legislation.

The Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols was among the bishops who called on Catholics to urge their MPs to vote against the “deeply flawed and under-scrutinised” Bill on assisted suicide

Cardinal Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, restated the bishops’ objections to the Bill in principle and Cardinal Nichols expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the “deeply flawed” parliamentary process.

“It is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences,” he said.

He argued that there should have been a Royal Commission or independent inquiry before considering changing the law on this matter.

In Scotland, Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh met Members of the Scottish Parliament on 26 March to highlight the dangers to vulnerable people of legalising assisted suicide. Representatives from the three largest parties attended.

Cardinal urges MPs to vote against assisted suicide

Assisted suicide – an error of judgement

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