Bishop John

You probably expect an Anglican bishop to oppose a euthanasia ‘reform’. I do, but maybe not for the expected reasons.

First, some theology: life is a gift from God, a sacred trust, not to be taken by human hand.

The proposed legislation’s title, ‘Dying with Dignity’, is misleading, spin to suggest euthanasia is the best way to care for people with terminal illness. I challenge that. The best way to care for dying people is to relieve from pain and suffering, helping them to enjoy as much quality of life as possible so they can, genuinely, ‘die with dignity’. The Bill before parliament seeks approval of assisted suicide. Assisting my parents to commit suicide would have denied them dignity, and tainted our own humanity.

Alarm bells are ringing, indeed clanging, for me. People will place immense pressure on themselves. Family members, friends and society may, intentionally or not, put immense pressure on those with terminal or long-term illness. Yes, the emotional, physical and financial cost of caring for the ill is immense. The cost of care is the cost of love. Love is not easy. Costly care is the mark of a loving society. Known professionally as palliative care, it receives Government funding. Clinicians and nurses are trained in therapies and medicating to relieve pain without making people comatose, helping people live out their last days or months with a quality of life where they can farewell their families.

And what about human rights? Elderly or terminally ill persons have the right of access to the best palliative care. What if, after diagnosis of terminal illness, a patient falls into temporary depression? In that state, would it be right for that person’s life to be placed in the hands of two medical practitioners with the power to take life?

Then there is the question of family members feeling the ‘burden’ of care is too great or, worse, the temptation to hasten death to inherit an estate. Where is the protection in this legislation against such manipulation? Who can I trust with such a decision? I am not sure that I can trust myself. We should not place such a burden on carers and loved ones, already bearing so much pain in giving life, not in bringing death.

In our impatient, secular society, the culture of life as entertainment is promoted every day. Our society is becoming impatient with death, especially if it takes too long. There is a human right to stay alive, to celebrate God’s gifts. When death comes naturally, we can celebrate all that God has provided for that person.

May love and life be the hallmarks of Tasmania, lest we become known as the Isle of Death.

John Harrower OAM
Bishop of Tasmania

*Appeared in the Examiner newspaper, Tasmania, Friday May 29 2009.

On the Friday afternoon of May 22 just prior to Synod’s commencement, I was contacted by the ‘Mercury’. My rather longer interview comments were reduced in the Saturday newspaper to ‘the proposal set off “all his alarm bells”.’

I had elaborated on four basic points:

1. God gives life and God takes it away
2. It is not for another human being to take life
3. Dangers of euthanasia to the sufferer, family & friends, and society
4. Need for society to provide proper care for sufferers (palliative care)

On the way home from Synod I was contacted by ‘Examiner’ reporter Ellena Midgley whose report, ‘Church condemns euthanasia bill’, appeared Monday May 25:

“THE Anglican Church has condemned the latest bid to legalise voluntary euthanasia, while new polling has shown that three- quarters of Tasmanians want the option.

“Bishop John Harrower said he strongly opposed Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim’s Dying With Dignity Bill, and encouraged MPs to vote against it for the betterment of Tasmania.”

This Tuesday’s May 26 ‘Mercury’ has brilliant comment by the highly respected and experienced Hobart Dr Paul Dunne in an article by Sally Glaetzer, Doctor challenges death Bill In part,

TASMANIANS will lose the ability to “grow” from the experience of death if euthanasia laws are passed, an expert says.

Hobart palliative care physician Paul Dunne said he often marvelled at the benefits a family got when their loved one was on their deathbed.

“It is one of the remaining rituals that we have in our society because that person lying in the bed is very powerful in bringing families together.”

Dr Dunne said (if the euthanasia legislation was passed) the result would be a “throw-away society”.

“As a society we’re going to lose a hell of a lot of wisdom, that ability to grieve properly and live properly,” he said.

“It is really treating life like a commodity.”

The Australian Christian Lobby is participating and has a link to a Sunrise interview on the Tasmanian bill. ACL also provides links: click here to view the piece and to Channel Seven’s blog discussion which you may wish to join.

Bishop Ross Nicholson is participating on a ‘Hypotheticals’ panel for the palliative care unit in Launceston.

I have been asked to write an article to appear on Friday in the Examiner newspaper.

It’s all happening in Tassie! We work and pray, pray and work. Please join us.