Can a ‘Good Death‘ be Assisted?: A Church Times Webinar

Thursday 28 November | 6pm GMT

Kim Leadbeater MP’s Private Member’s Bill on Assisted Dying has set the stage for a free vote on this important public policy issue. As people of faith with a passion for life in all its fulness what can we offer into the heart-searching that is currently taking place in the public square? Join a panel of experienced practitioners and researchers for a deep theological exploration of the pastoral, ethical, psychological, cultural and practical considerations to bear in mind when legislating on assisted dying. What might be the psychological impact - perhaps unforeseen - on those who are terminally ill, but also indirectly on others with chronic illnesses and disability? What difference will a change in the law make in our chaplaincy contexts? What will be the implications for those who currently offer end of life care, funeral and bereavement support? Will institutional racism in our culture affect how this lands with minority ethnic communities?  What theological and ethical vision do we offer as churches (of all denominations), about the preciousness of life and human mortality?

This is a webinar broadcast in collaboration between Modern Church and Church Times

Modern Church encourages open, respectful debate on Christian faith. Founded in 1898 as an Anglican society,  they welcome all who share their ethos, work ecumenically to encourage non-dogmatic approaches to Christianity and support liberal voices in their churches.

Learn more about Modern Church here

Panel 

Joanna Collicutt

James Woodward

Cassius Francis

Katie Tupling

Chaired by Professor Elaine Graham of Modern Church

Biographical Information

Elaine Graham is Professor Emerita of Practical Theology at the University of Chester. Elaine is a Fellow of the British Academy, and is Chair of Trustees of Modern Church.

Joanna Collicutt has a background in clinical psychology and the psychology of religion. From 2010-2020 she was Karl Jaspers Lecturer in psychology and spirituality at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, and Oxford Diocesan Older People’s Adviser. It was in her capacity as Older People's Adviser that she became interested in the way the church responds to questions of mortality (including its own mortality), and with colleagues produced Death and life: A church's guide to exploring mortality (BRF, 2024) and Seriously Messy: Making space for families to talk about death and life together (BRF, 2019). 

James Woodward is Principal of Sarum College in Salisbury, and a practical theologian who specialises in health and healing, Christian ethics, old age, theological reflection and end of life care. James was a member of The Commission on Assisted Dying chaired by Lord Falconer in 2012. In 30 years of ministerial experience James has worked in a range of contexts, including health care chaplaincy and rural ministry. His books include, Befriending Death (SPCK, 2005)

Cassius Francis is a minister with the Wesleyan Holiness Church, and for his main weekday job he is employed as a senior Chaplain at Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.  Cassius is also a church trainer with Loss and HOPE, a Christian coalition project of the UK’s bereavement signposting and information website, AtaLoss.

Cassius frequently attends the Black Theology Forum hosted by The Queen’s Foundation and has recently completed his MA in Theology (Practical & Pastoral) with Nazarene Theological College.

Katie Tupling is Katie is a priest in the Church of England, ordained in 2003 at Derby Cathedral She has served as a Vicar in Derbyshire and Sheffield, and an Interim Chaplain at an Oxford College. She is currently working part time as Disability Adviser for the Oxford Diocese. Katie is co-founder of 'Disability and Jesus' - an online community engaging in public dialogue around disability, faith and social justice. Katie has written for Grove Books: 'Worship and Disability' (for the Worship series) and 'Being DIsabled, Being Human' (for the Ethics series) as well as being a co-author for the book 'Pilgrims in the dark' written by Disability and Jesus.

Features on assisted dying

 You may wish to browse this topic in the newspaper.

Leader comment: Now is not the time for assisted dying

Synod motion opposes assisted dying

Bookstall

Visit Church House Bookshop to browse a selection of discounted books by the speakers and titles relevant to the webinar.

Tickets

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