| Resolution Number: | 1994-A056 |
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| Title: | Amend General Convention Principles on the Prolongation of Life |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 71st General Convention amend point two of the eight-point principles and guidelines concerning prolongation of life set forth in Resolution A093a of the 70th General Convention, to read as follows:
2. Despite this hope, it is morally wrong and unacceptable to intentionally take a human life in order to relieve the suffering caused by incurable illness. This would include the intentional shortening of another person's life by the use of a lethal dose of medication or poison, the use of lethal weapons, homicidal acts, and other forms of active euthanasia. Palliative treatment to relieve the pain of persons with progressive incurable illnesses, even if done with the knowledge that a hastened death may result, is consistent with theological tenets regarding the sanctity of life.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), pp. 289-90. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Standing Commission on Health |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Social and Urban Affairs |
House of Deputies
Original Text of Resolution:
(A056)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention amend point two of the eight-point principles and guidelines concerning prolongation of life set forth in Resolution A093a of the 70th General Convention, to read as follows:
2. Despite this hope, it is morally wrong and unacceptable to intentionally take a human life in order to relieve the suffering caused by incurable illness. This would include the intentional shortening of another person's life by the use of a lethal dose of medication or poison, the use of lethal weapons, homicidal acts, and other forms of active euthanasia. Palliative treatment to relieve the pain of persons with progressive incurable illnesses, even if done with the knowledge that a hastened death may result, is consistent with theological tenets regarding the sanctity of life.
Debate followed.
The question was called to terminate debate on A056.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on A056.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #169)
House of Bishops
The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #27 on House of Deputies Message #169 on Resolution A056 (Amend 1991 Resolution on Prolonging Life) and moved concurrence.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #208)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 1.
| Report Reference: | Standing Commission on Health, Reports to the 71st General Convention, 1994, pp. 288-301. |
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| Abstract: | The 71st General Convention amends the guidelines concerning the prolongation of life, as set forth in Resolution 1991-A093 to allow for palliative treatment even if it hastens death. |
| Notes: | Resolution 1994-A056 amends the second point of Resolution 1991-A093 on the principles and guidelines concerning the prolongation of life ( Journal of General Convention, 1991, p. 383). The original text of the second point read as follows: 2. Despite this hope, it is morally wrong and unacceptable to take a human life in order to relieve the suffering caused by incurable illness. This would include the intentional shortening of another person's life by the use of a lethal dose of medication or poison, the use of lethal weapons, homicidal acts, and other forms of active euthanasia. |