LONDON — The Church of England says human organ donation is a Christian duty, in line with the giving of oneself and personal possessions voluntarily for the well-being of others.
The church’s statement on organ donation came during discussion in the House of Lords on whether a position on organ donation should be adopted across the 27-member European Union, of which Britain is a part.
In its presentation Oct. 8, the Church of England said, “Christians have a mandate to heal, motivated by compassion, mercy, knowledge and ability” and that “[the] Christian tradition both affirms the God-given value of human bodily life, and the principle of putting the needs of others before one’s own needs.”
The church made it clear that it remained firmly opposed to the sale of human organs, but it accepted that organs given freely by living donors were acceptable when no commercial gain is involved.
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