Press Releases08 Oct 20

A joint statement to the members of the Church of Ireland

From Archbishop John McDowell & Archbishop Michael Jackson

In the context of the consideration of legislation regarding end–of–life issues by Dáil Éireann, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, and the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, have issued the following statement to the members of the Church of Ireland:

‘We affirm the sacredness of human life, in its totality from beginning to end, as a gift given by God, and that each and every human life is intrinsically valuable in all its phases.  It should also be recognised that very difficult situations and emotions can arise from the management of care towards the end of a life and the discussion of personal circumstances always requires the utmost sensitivity.  Such sensitivity should also be borne in mind in the public debate around these issues.’