news

<< back to news archive

Prayer and action about end-of-life threats

You will be aware of all the developments in the last couple of weeks about euthanasia and assisted suicide:

• On 20 January Mrs Frances Inglis was convicted of the attempted murder and the murder of her brain-damaged son and given 9 years' imprisonment
• On 21 January Margo MacDonald MSP's End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill was published. It is not just about AS but euthanasia too - my comment
• On 25 January Mrs Kay Gilderdale was found not guilty of the attempted murder of her daughter with 'ME'
• On 1 February BBC's Panorama was propagandist about her case
• On 1 February the BBC screened the extreme views of celebrity fantasy fiction writer Terry Pratchett

The BBC has not given similar space to opposing opinions as its Charter requires, and the views of disabled people in particular have been marginalised in a debate which affects them so personally

• Please pray, and consider:
  an online complaint to the BBC
  You may also phone: 03700 100 222 or write to: BBC Complaints, PO Box 1922, Glasgow G2 3WT
• asking your MP (contact your MP) to sign Ann Winterton's Early Day Motion 787 about the BBC bias
• if you are a BMA member, then February is the time to attend local Division AGMs to argue against any pro-euthanasia/PAS motions put forward to this June's ARM and/or to put forward motions opposing. The ARM's timing will be critical for any euthanasia debate in the new Parliament. Please contact me for details.

Our Medical Study Group met on Monday night and after a long discussion concluded 'this should drive us to our knees to pray'. But we can take action too - and as only doctors can get involved in the BMA you could have unique influence here.

Thank you for giving this your attention
I look forward to hearing from you
Peter Saunders
Chief Executive, CMF

For further information:

Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668

Media Enquiries:

Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225

About CMF:

Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.

CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.