The debate and subsequent vote on the proposed Assisted Dying Bill has been highly complex and emotive for all concerned, and will continue to be so. Anna Chaplains can often feel themselves to be on the front line of these conversations as they regularly accompany older people at the end of life.
In a thought-provoking live webinar hosted last week by Church Times and Modern Church, an Anna Chaplain raised a question arising from the fact that some older people may communicate to an Anna Chaplain a belief that they are becoming a burden to their families, or indeed that they are ready to die. She asked what the Church is doing to support people as they approach the end of life, and whether this was of concern in this debate.
The highly-experienced panel – including BRF author Joanna Collicutt – acknowledged the great need for the Church to develop more effective support for older people at this key stage of life, including offering help and resources to reflect on the meaning of mortality. In the midst of such sensitive national discussion and decision-making - the Assisted Dying bill passed its second reading last Friday - this felt affirming of both Anna Chaplains and those whom they serve.
Death & Life: a church’s guide to exploring mortality by Joanna Collicutt, Jo Ind, Victoria Slater and Alison Webster was flagged up as a recommended resource and can be purchased from BRF Ministries’ website.
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