The Church of England's General Synod has received a motion urging Christians to donate blood and organs. According to Anglican Bishop James Newcome of Carlisle, this form of donation should be regarded as one of the duties of Christians.
In the motion presented before the General Synod, Newcome emphasized that like other worldly belongings, people's bodies also come from God. And, just like how people donate money, Christians should also donate blood and organs, Religion News reported.
"We believe that everything we have, including our bodies, and our possessions, comes from God, and following in the footsteps of Jesus we are called to make a sacrificial offering of what already belongs to Him for the benefit of others," he said according to Daily Mail.
"Whether it's the regular donation of blood or registration to become an organ donor, being willing to give ourselves in this is a significant aspect of our 'stewardship' or what we have received," he added.
Newcome's motion may be considered as a response to other religious groups' beliefs that prevent them from this form of donation or sacrificial offering. But, more importantly, regularly donating blood thousands of people who are in need of transplants.
This issue was highlighted by England's National Health Service after the agency reported that the number of blood and organ donors has significantly decreased from 2014 to 2015. As noted by the agency, about 225,000 blood donors are needed each year. However, only or around 1,280 donate regularly. Organ donors, on the other hand, are at only 1,092, The Guardian has learned.
One of the solutions supporters of the NHS have come up regarding this issue is changing the current opt-in system to opt-out. In the former, those who wish to donate organs after they die must first register. But, in the new system supporters are proposing, registrations will no longer be needed as it will assume that organs of the recently deceased can be harvested.
As noted by Bishop Newcome, the Christian members of the country should really consider participating in sacrificial offering for the benefit of those in need.
"Whether it's the regular donation of blood or registration to become an organ donor, being willing to give ourselves in this way is a significant aspect of our 'stewardship' of what we have received," he said.
