The following statements and resources have been shared by The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales:
‘In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Bishop John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action.
That call is renewed now, urgently, as on Friday, 29 November, the House of Commons will hear the Second Reading of a bill on assisted suicide tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
This is another attempt to legalise assisted suicide and we need you to contact your MP to voice your opposition.
Act Now! Contact your MP
The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to input your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law.
Click here to contact your MP via the Right to Life UK website.
Pray
We are a praying Christian community and, as Bishop Sherrington says, the legalisation of assisted suicide undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life. “The Catholic Church accompanies those suffering and nearing the end of their lives with hope and affection, but also reminds them that their life is precious until the very last breath,” he says. “In preparation for these challenging debates, let us offer our prayers for those facing the end of their lives, that they may receive the care and support they need to live their final days with respect for their dignity.’
“Let us also pray for our politicians and our country that wisdom and compassion may guide their decisions. I also urge all Catholics to become better informed about the serious problems associated with the legalisation of assisted suicide.’
These easy-to-print A4 posters can be displayed in your parish. They are very similar but have scannable QR codes that link to two different places.
This first poster, below, links to the Right to Life UK website. It provides a simple digital form and suggested letter that helps Catholics contact their MP to ask them to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law.
The second poster links to this page on the Bishops’ Conference website where you will find resources laying out the Catholic position on assisted suicide, and what you can do to stop its legalisation.
Further Resources
The Bishops’ Conference has also compiled a list of resources to help you stay informed about the issue and inform others about the dangers of assisted suicide:
REASONS
Ten reasons to oppose assisted suicide
QUESTIONS
FAQs on assisted suicide
DAY FOR LIFE
Day for Life resources on end-of-life care
HOSPICE CARE
The content in our Hospice section explains how hospices work and demonstrates why they are the jewel in the crown when it comes to palliative and end of life care.
KNOWLEDGE
Right to Life UK Knowledge base on assisted suicide and euthanasia
LAW
Legislation on Assisted Dying: A Slippery Slope?
This document offers a useful summary of the law in the UK, proposals to change the legislation, and compares UK law to that of other countries.
2024 POLL
Results of a July 2024 poll revealing the majority of the British public opposes the implementation of assisted dying
ARTICLE
An article revealing the Health Secretary does not believe the State of end-of-life care in the UK allows for assisted dying to be implemented safely
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Westminster, has issued a pastoral letter on assisted suicide.
Referring to a private members’ bill on assisted suicide that will be introduced to the House of Commons on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, the Cardinal offers three key points for Catholics to be aware of, and calls on the faithful to be fully engaged in the debate and to write to their MP to oppose assisted suicide being rushed into law.
“The evidence from every single country in which such a law has been passed is clear,” says Cardinal Nichols. “That the circumstances in which the taking of a life is permitted are widened and widened, making assisted suicide and medical killing, or euthanasia, more and more available and accepted.”
Be careful what you wish for, he says: “This proposed change in the law may be a source of relief to some. But it will bring great fear and trepidation to many, especially those who have vulnerabilities and those living with disabilities. What is now proposed will not be the end of the story. It is a story better not begun.”
Read more of his brilliant letter here
On Sunday 27th October Bishop Philip Egan also published a compassionate, rousing and helpful pastoral letter on the topic, which can be read here
Further information on the overall subject can be accessed here