Bishop of Cloyne urges voters to ask about candidates' stance on assisted dying

The Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean, has called on Catholics to ask politicians, in the lead-up to next week’s general election, where they stand on the issue of assisted dying.

Bishop Crean said the current campaign was distinguished by the fact that the issue of assisted dying had not “caught fire”, something he said was disturbing, and indicated “something of a tacit consensus ’round what the important national issues are”.

On Wednesday, October 23, the Dáil voted by 76 to 53 to note the final report of the joint Oireachtas committee on assisted dying, which called on the Government to legalise assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances.

The report came after months of hearing from experts and interested parties, some of whom outlined how assisted dying operates in other jurisdictions.

The report’s recommendations were supported by nine of the committee’s 14 members, with three members, including committee cathaoirleach, Rural Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, publishing a dissenting minority report.

With the Dáil dissolved ahead of next week’s general election, the issue will now be left to the next government to consider and, should it choose, to legislate.

Any resulting legislation would then go before the Oireachtas and, should it be passed, then go to the President, who has the right to refer bills to the Supreme Court to test their constitutionality, should he or she deem that necessary.

Bishop Crean said that with an ageing population, the cost of nursing care was increasingly difficult for families.

“Enormous pressure will be brought to bear on frail elderly and others diagnosed with terminal illness to succumb to a potentially new culture of death,” he said.

“My appeal is simply that when being canvassed over these days ask prospective TDs to indicate clearly where they stand on this critical issue.

“How we care for the weakest and most vulnerable goes to the core of our moral fibre and integrity as a society.”

Compassion must always be the first response in the face of pain, he said.

“Our palliative care culture and organisation across the country are an extraordinary witness to compassionate care for all approaching life’s end,” he added.

Separately, the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, has also called on Catholics to “please share your views” with canvassers on the issues of abortion and assisted dying.