Picture of Liam McArthur MSP looking at the camera side on while leaning over a tree on which he is adhering a "dying wish" tag. Headline snip reads "Church of Scotland to take neutral stance on Scottish assisted dying bill."

We welcome Church of Scotland decision to take neutral stance on assisted dying

May 7, 2025

We are delighted that the Church of Scotland will alter its position on assisted dying, as our CEO Fraser Sutherland told The Guardian.

A story published in The Guardian on 7 May reported that the Church of Scotland is expected to adopt a neutral stance on assisted dying, reversing centuries of opposition. This makes it the first denomination in the UK to do so. This comes at a hugely important time. The stage-one vote on Liam McArthur’s assisted dying bill is set to take place on 13 May.

Kirk neutrality

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland was interviewed for the article. Asked about the significance of the Kirk’s alteration of stance, he said: “the shift to a neutral position from the Kirk is very significant given that, historically, the Kirk has been very opposed to attempts to reform the law.” The change signifies “two things” for us: “, Fraser noted. “Firstly, a change in the membership of the general assembly, making it more aligned with public attitudes on this issue; secondly, the increasing awareness that this isn’t a binary issue in terms of religion as opposed to secularism, and that there is growing religious support in favour of change.”

Fraser Sutherland speaking to an audience in front of an HSS banner wearing a blue suit, making a point with outstretched arms. He has short brown hair and glasses.

This isn’t a binary issue in terms of religion as opposed to secularism…there is growing religious support in favour of change.

John Swinney

Fraser also commented on the likely decision of first minister John Swinney to vote against assisted dying or abstain. “Assisted dying is a matter of conscience”, Fraser noted, “and we are comfortable with the First Minister voting in accordance with his conscience”. He added that “it is unlikely that Mr Swinney’s voting intentions would affect those of other ministers and government MSPs and it would not be appropriate if they did.”

Relationship with Westminster

Fraser responded to claims that bringing about assisted dying in Scotland will require impractical levels of clearance from Westminster under Section 30 of the Scotland Act. Fraser pointed out that it was “not unusual for decisions made at Scottish parliament to require clearance at Westminster”. He added that because there was a strong chance a bill will pass at Westminster, there would probably be “a context in which the regulation of suitable medicine for assisted dying is being discussed anyway”.

Fraser also referred to the Holyrood health committee’s report on Mr. McArthur’s bill, published last week. The report noted that the bill’s approach was “practical and workable on this point”, Fraser said. He added that “Mr. McArthur has never intended to push the boundaries of the devolved settlement through his approach to the assisted dying bill.” Fraser added that “reports emphasising the difficulty of interacting with reserved issues through assisted dying regulation have come from voices opposed to the issue on principle”.

You can read the Guardian article, which quotes part of Fraser’s response, at the link below. You can also use the button below to ask your MSP to back assisted dying.

Read Guardian article on Church of Scotland neutrality on assisted dying