Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
July/August 2006

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Letter to the Editor

To The Editor

I would like to comment on the articles “Dignity or Sanctity” on Euthanasia, in your last edition.

Firstly, given the perspectives of the two contributors, I think the title should have been “Sanctity or Dignity”.

Secondly, although I believe, with Father Logan, that we are all “created in the image of God (and) are stewards rather than owners” of ourselves, I equally agree with Ally Brown that “with the advance of technology we can keep alive someone who, a century ago, would have a died an earlier natural death.” I do not believe that these two statements are incompatible.

It is already legal to withhold life-support machinery and to that end I myself have a Living Will. But, since I have an immortal soul, in a case where positive action would be needed to end useless and prolonged suffering, I believe that there is a better life awaiting after death…set me free:

And from which earth, and grave, and dust,
The Lord shall raise me up, I trust.
(Sir Walter Raleigh)

Living Wills (£20) are available from Dignity in Dying (formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Society), 13 Prince of Wales Terrace, London W8 5PG.

Jane Sherwin

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