British bishops highlight concerns about mental capacity legislation

Published: 2004-07-21

MANCHESTER, England (CNS) -- Bishops in England and Wales have highlighted their concerns about legislation relating to people who have a limited capacity to make decisions for themselves. The bishops published a 16-page briefing paper July 19 setting out their concerns about the Mental Capacity Bill. If passed, the bill would give statutory force to "living wills" and confer significant powers on proxy decision-makers. The bishops said revised legislation published in June contained significant changes since the publication of a draft bill in 2003. For instance, the revised bill includes a clause preserving the existing law against euthanasia and suicide. However, the bishops highlighted four significant weaknesses in the revised bill and suggested two amendments to bolster the current safeguards.

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