This will be a debate and then a vote on the general principles of the Bill. If it passes it goes forward for further scrutiny and amendment. If it does not pass, the Bill falls.

We believe that all life is sacred, created by God. Human life is particularly special, as we are created in God’s image. At the heart of our concern is a conviction that it is the right and duty of the Church, of society, and of each one of us to uphold and protect the dignity and worth of human life. This principle can lead to divergent opinion on assisted dying. Our historic position has been that we should not seek to end life prematurely. Where there are terminally ill people who suffer, we should provide them with the best care and support at the end of their life. Some in the Church support the idea that an individual can make their own mind up regarding their life, and if at the end of their life their suffering is intolerable, a decision to end it should be a matter for them. This is the context for the review of our position. 

MSPs are given a free vote on this issue; this means they do not follow any party line but can vote according to their own conscience. While some MSPs have expressed a fixed view on the Bill already, many are still keen to hear from people in their constituencies or regions with ideas and experiences which could impact their decision. Some MSPs have told me that they may support the Bill at Stage One as they support the proposal in theory, but that they would be prepared to vote against the Bill at a later stage if the evidence and argument means that this particular Bill is not the right one.

This means I am writing to strongly encourage you to write to your MSPs now and share with them your own thoughts and ideas.

How to do this: to find the names of your MSPs and their contact details visit the home page of the Parliament website and enter your postcode in the ‘Find MSPs by postcode’ box. You have eight MSPs, one for your constituency and seven for your region. They have equal voice and vote in the Parliament and you should write to them all.

In your message you may want to reflect on:

• The series of Presbytery Conversation events which were held last autumn. The introductory video shown at these events is still available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Wn0FAaQFA

• The response of the Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group to the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee call for evidence on the Bill (August 2024): https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/129516/2024.08.16-Assisted-Dying-for-Terminally-Ill-Adults-Scotland-Bill-Stage-1-Call-for-Evidence.pdf 

• The joint Report of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and the Theological Forum which is being presented to the General Assembly for discussion on Monday 19 May, which has been published on the General Assembly website: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/133443/13.-Joint-Report-of-the-Theological-Forum-and-the-Faith-Action-Programme-Leadership-Team-on-Assisted-Dying.pdf 

But more important will be your own views and experiences. The Church has extensive experience of walking with people in the final stages of their lives, in the support of family and friends of a dying person, and through marking someone’s death by leading funeral services. We are aware that many MSPs have taken the time to speak with parish ministers and hospital and hospice chaplains in recent months. Now is the final opportunity to do so before MSPs make their decision.