The Catholic Union is preparing for the publication of a Bill in Scotland which would legalise assisted suicide.
Following a consultation on a Bill proposal put forward by Liam MacArthur MSP, legislation is expected to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in the next couple of months.
Ahead of the Bill being published, the Catholic Union is encouraging its members and supporters in Scotland to get involved in making the case against assisted suicide.
Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, has put out an appeal for people to write articles, provide comments, and take part in interviews. If you are interested, please get in contact here.
The impact of any change in the law would clearly be felt by doctors and nurses, so the Catholic Union is particularly keen to hear from medical professionals in Scotland.
In a recent Catholic Union survey, 88 per cent of responders said that introducing assisted suicide would make it harder for Catholics and other people of faith to enter the medical profession.
Nigel Parker, Director of the Catholic Union, comments: “While Nicola Sturgeon’s time as First Minister is coming to an end, there are many matters of concern in Scotland that will not be going away any time soon. Very shortly Scotland is likely to be at the centre of the assisted suicide debate in the UK.
“Opinion in the Scottish Parliament is finely balanced and, with a new First Minister taking office, we have the opportunity to make the case again for better palliative care to be the priority when it comes to supporting people who are terminally ill. It is vital that we have a strong response from the Catholic laity to the Bill, including in our public statements and comments.”