Christian leaders from across Scotland have formed a united front urging Members of the Scottish Parliament to vote against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 later this month.
Among the signatories is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, Rev Alasdair Macleod, who joined senior leaders from across denominations in expressing deep concern about the moral and social consequences of the proposed legislation.
The joint letter warns that the Bill risks normalising the view that “some lives are no longer worth living” and would expose the most vulnerable in society to subtle pressures that no safeguard can fully prevent.
The open letter was also signed by:
- Rt Rev. Rosemary Frew, Moderator of the Church of Scotland
- Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
- Rev Martin Keane, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland
- Major David Burns, The Salvation Army
- Andy Hunter, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
- Alistair Matheson, Apostolic Church UK
“Neither Safe Nor Compassionate”
Speaking alongside the publication of the letter, Rev. Alasdair Macleod said:
“However well-intentioned, this legislation cannot, by its very nature, be either safe or compassionate. It can never be safe or compassionate to devalue life for those living with disabilities. It can never be safe or compassionate for medics to be bound by law to give every option to patients, including that of assisted dying, when it wasn’t on the radar of the patient. Coercion, of whatever sort, is almost impossible to prove, and so the only way to prevent it is to take the option of assisted dying off the table and instead focus on better resourcing of palliative care.”
His comments reflect the long-standing opposition of the Free Church of Scotland to assisted suicide in any form and our belief that every human life bears inherent dignity and worth.
A Call to Protect the Vulnerable
The joint letter stresses that while many supporters of the Bill are motivated by a desire to relieve suffering, compassion must not be redefined as the provision of assisted death. Instead, the signatories urge greater investment in high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.
The letter states:
“True compassion does not mean helping someone to die, but committing ourselves to care for them in life. Scotland should invest in first-class palliative and end-of-life care, ensuring that no one faces pain, fear, or loneliness without support.”
It also points to the experience of other countries, where assisted dying legislation has expanded beyond its original scope and where concerns about safeguards and coercion have been raised.
A United Christian Voice
This joint appeal represents a significant moment of unity among Christian leaders in Scotland, demonstrating a shared commitment to defending the dignity of life and protecting those who may feel vulnerable or burdensome.
As the crucial vote approaches, the Free Church of Scotland urges MSPs to consider carefully the long-term implications of this legislation and to stand for the equal worth of every human life.
The Free Church of Scotland will issue prayer points ahead of the Stage 3 vote and encourage all congregation to pray about this legislation at midweek meetings on Wednesday 11th March. On the day of the vote (Tuesday 17th March) the Moderator (Rev. Alasdair Macleod) and Public Engagement Coordinator (Rev. Stephen Allison) will host an online prayer meeting from 12.30-13.00 to allow the denomination to come together for prayer ahead of the vote.
A copy of the full letter can be downloaded here.