They shall not grow old – As we grow old

The Somme 1916; millions of young men killed in what was supposed to be the war to end all wars. When Laurence Binyon penned those words in memory of his fallen comrades, he could not foresee that words so full of emotion; would have a more sinister connotation in 2009.

In autumn this year a free vote will take place in the House of Lords to change the law on assisted suicides following a landmark case of Debbie Purdy who suffers from multiple sclerosis. The Minister introducing the Bill, Lord Bach, said the Government’s intention was to “simplify and update the law in this area and not to change its scope”. Not to change its scope! Nothing radical or worrying here, you might think, but now couple that with the bill being introduced by Labour M.P. David Winnick to make assisted suicide legal, and you have a recipe for the completion of the circle. Abortion – a Bill introduced by another back bencher in May 1967 to simplify the law and to end the back street Abortions taking place. A laudable intention – however as we know the road to Hell is paved with such good intentions, and what a hell! Millions of innocent children killed for no other reason, than they were not convenient at the time. David Steel’s words of ‘No Abortion on demand!’ ring somewhat hollow today, abortion is as readily available as a trip to the hairdressers – the Morning – After pill available over the counter and to girls as young as 14.

And now a Bill to simplify Assisted Suicide – to allow relatives to help their loved ones kill themselves in Switzerland. Why? As far as I am aware no one has been prosecuted on returning from Dignitas.
How long will it be, before centres of death are opening here, ready to cash in on someone’s suffering?

From a Catholic perspective there is only one answer – that life is the gift of God and only God can take it away. But does this really answer the questions posed by loving relatives watching parents or partners in great pain? St Augustine said ‘God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.’ In my the time I have been with the sick, the disabled, and the dieing I have found that it is not the one that is ill that is weak, but the people caring for them. God does not want us to suffer, he does not bring illness upon us, sickness and pain are consequences of this imperfect world. He has given us the means to control pain and his presence and comfort are always with us.

Of course people become frightened when confronted by a debilitating disease, they feel alone, even when surrounded by those people who love them, they feel as if they will be a burden and think that if they choose a death with dignity, suicide, killing themselves, whatever you choose to call it. It will be better for them and for their loved ones. But it is in caring for someone you love; that love becomes stronger, people value the time that has been given to them to spend with the one they love.

No one has as yet studied the psychological problems for relatives assisting suicide. We know there are many women suffering depression, guilt and other problems for years after an Abortion for a child they did not know. What problems will come when you have helped kill your mother, father, wife, husband, son or daughter?

Will the Government assist these, as well as they help those suffering after Abortion? Probably!

As Abortion escalated into an on demand service; how long will it be before Assisted Suicide becomes Euthanasia?  A killing field never dreamt of by Hitler or Stalin. Where the elderly are forced into thinking they are a burden and agree to ‘end it all’. Where unscrupulous relatives after the inheritance sign away their lives; in the words of Cardinal O’Brian ‘Don’t kill your Granny!’ It is the duty of every Catholic in Britain to fight this bill – it is not someone else’s job – it is yours and mine!

Walking around any town in Britain, we see the elderly, shopping, stopping for a chat with friends or having a cup of tea in a little coffee shop. There’s old Albert or Fred who pops into the local for a quick one, or a bet on the horses. Mary, always ready to give a hand, always has a sweet for the kids. But what about when they get sick, or need to go into a nursing home. Suddenly you find you have to break up your weekend, the kids are moaning that Nan or Granddad, smells funny and they want to go to Alton Towers instead of visiting them. You have the paperwork to deal with, the pension, social security, looking after their house, which they will not sell. “Don’t you worry dear; we’ll be home soon!” But of course you know they are never going to be able to look after themselves again. If this Bill succeeds the above scene in a few years time will never happen again.

Now some of you reading this will scoff and say ‘That’s just scare mongering’ but do you really want to take the chance? If I and my fellow campaigners are wrong, you’re safe! If not and we don’t stop this Bill??
Remember we are all going to grow old. To stop this Bill: Write to your M.P. Go on line and sign the online petitionhttp://petitions.number10.gov.uk/notolegalsuicide Do it today.!

Mike Farren is one of the Deacons at St John Ogilvie Church Corby Northants.