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Position Statement on Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and Advance Health Care Directives

Human life is a sacred gift from God. The Salvation Army believes, as a consequence, that euthanasia and assisted suicide are morally wrong. The Christian faith puts death into its proper perspective as the transition from earthly life to life eternal. It is appropriate to make suitable preparation for death, especially spiritual preparation, and to inform loved ones and caregivers about one’s wishes.

Euthanasia undermines, rather than enhances, human dignity. “Euthanasia” is defined as a deliberate act undertaken by one person with the intention of ending the life of another person, intended to relieve that other person’s suffering, where that act is the cause of death. Euthanasia does not include withholding or withdrawing medical treatment which serves only to prolong the dying process where the burden of the treatment on the dying person outweighs its benefit. Euthanasia does not include the proper medical use of pain controlling drugs for a dying person, even if the secondary effect may be to shorten life. Nor is it euthanasia to respect a competent adult’s refusal of treatment or request to discontinue treatment.

Assisted suicide undermines, rather than enhances, human dignity. “Assisted suicide” is defined as counselling, abetting, aiding or otherwise assisting someone with the intention of ending the life of the person being assisted.

Advance health care directives which take effect when one is no longer able to make decisions about one’s own medical care can provide valuable assistance to loved ones and caregivers. However, the possibility does exist that subtle pressure will be placed on the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the dying to act contrary to their true interests and wishes in order not to become an unwanted burden. It is important to communicate by word and deed that all persons are worthy of respect, that they are loved and that they will not be abandoned.

Palliative care, as a program of active, compassionate care provided to patients and their families when the hope for cure is no longer medically possible, is promoted by The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda 1997

Click here to download a PDF file of this position statement.
Click here to download a PDF file of all the position statements.