The bishops of Scotland urged the government on March 13 to recognize and protect the rights of organizations that object to participating in assisted suicide, as debate continues over the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
The issue has become important as faith-based organizations, hospices, and medical professionals express concern about being compelled to act against their ethical or religious beliefs if the bill becomes law. The final vote on the legislation is expected to take place March 17.
Bishop John Keenan of Paisley, president of the Scottish bishops’ conference, said in a statement published March 10 that “the bishops’ conference maintains that no organization should be compelled by the state to participate in the deliberate ending of life when doing so would violate its ethical or religious principles.” Keenan also stated, “Every organization has guiding values that shape its mission and practice.”
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was introduced in March 2024 by parliamentarian Liam McArthur. It would allow eligible adults—those who are at least 18 years old, terminally ill, and have capacity—to request assistance from health professionals to end their own lives. Recent amendments raised the minimum age from 16 to 18.
Amendments proposed by parliamentarians John Mason and Paul O’Kane aimed to allow healthcare providers, faith-based institutions, charities, and educational establishments not to participate or facilitate assisted suicide without facing detriment such as financial loss or legal action. However, politicians supported a measure removing those protections.
Right to Life UK joined the bishops in criticizing this move, saying it meant there would be “no accountability or oversight from MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) and those who will be directly affected by the bill if it becomes law.” A group of seven medical bodies also voiced concerns about transparency and accountability in an open letter to Parliament. Their statement read: “These protections are central to the safe, ethical, and fair delivery of care, and to the confidence of our medical workforce who may be affected by the legislation.”
The Scottish bishops’ conference reiterated that for many faith-based organizations—including Catholic hospices—assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with their values. Keenan wrote: “The bishops’ conference urges the Scottish Government and MSPs to recognize and respect institutional conscience rights, ensuring that organizations are not forced into actions that contradict their foundational values.”
As lawmakers prepare for a final vote on this controversial bill, questions remain about how best to balance individual choice with institutional conscience rights.
