WITH the news of Esther Rantzen and her terminal illness, there has been much discussion recently on the subject of assisted dying. We are told that people want help to leave this world.

The argument goes along the lines “you wouldn’t let an animal suffer, you’d put it down”.

It can seem very persuasive. But we are not animals. We are all individuals created by God and the laws in our land reflect that... such as “do not steal” and “do not kill”. We also say “love your neighbour as yourself”.

Difficulties arise with euthanasia because pressures can be put on the vulnerable and frail. This has been most marked in Canada. In the six years since the “assisted dying” legislation was enacted, the number of deaths from euthanasia has increased thirteenfold and now totals 44,958 and is the fifth leading cause of death in the country.

Some years ago, I met a very inspirational lady called Cicely Saunders who had trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital a few years before me but then went on to qualify as a doctor. Dr Saunders was very concerned about the care of the dying as such patients remained on a busy ward with noise and activity all around.

Dame Cicely, a committed Christian, subsequently became the founder of the hospice movement. Hospices were set up all over the country and we are very blessed to have one in St Austell - Mount Edgcumbe - due to the persistence of a Christian local GP.

The care they give to the dying is just wonderful. A few of my friends have spent their last days in the hospice and they all, together with their loved ones, said how kind the staff were, how pain was relieved and how nothing seemed too much trouble. Have you seen their fabulous new feature garden which was installed earlier this year?

Now isn’t that a more gentle, kind and respectable way for our lives to end?

Sadly, full funding from the NHS is not available, so Cornwall Hospice Care depends on our donations to keep going.

Wendy Earl

Reader, St Mewan Parish Church