Here in the UK, parliament continues to debate a bill to legalise assisted suicide. As we wait to see whether Britain follows the lead of many other Western nations in introducing a form of assisted dying, I recently gave a lecture to the Church of Ireland in Belfast. In it I reflect on the current moves towards assisted dying and in particular what we as Christians believe about the ethical and spiritual dimensions to suffering. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments, both from autonomy and compassion, used by those in favour of legalising medically-assisted suicide? And what richer, deeper story about human dependence and dignity can Christians tell in response to this?
What can we learn from how the early church lived out their faith during their own pandemics?