Deep Disappointment as Assisted Suicide Bill Passes First Hurdle in Holyrood

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has passed its first test in the Scottish Parliament. 

Following several hours of debate in Holyrood, the Bill, which could eventually legalise doctor-assisted suicide in Scotland, passed the first of three parliamentary stages by 70-56 votes. 

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and Bishop of Paisley, said he was “deeply disappointed” that the Parliament had “taken the first step to permit the state to provide vulnerable people with the means to end their lives prematurely.”

He did, however, refer to the many MSPs who, during the debate, “expressed significant reservations about the Bill” and said that he hopes and prays that MSPs will “take time to reflect very carefully on these concerns and reject the Bill before it is passed into law.” 

It is clear from the debate that many MSPs voted in favour of the Bill to give them more time to consider a very difficult and challenging issue, and that support for the Bill at this stage does not necessarily mean MSPs will vote for it in future. That is why it is important to remember that yesterday’s vote was not an endorsement of assisted suicide, but a vote to continue the conversation. 

The Bill will now proceed to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny, including consideration of amendments, before a final version is put before the Parliament for a vote. If passed at that stage, the Bill will become law. 

The Catholic Parliamentary Office will publish a call to further action in due course. 

In the meantime, individuals may wish to take the opportunity to contact their MSPs. The Write to Them online tool makes this really easy. 

For a list of MSPs and how they voted, click this link.