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Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland unite in compassionate action to oppose Bill on assisted suicide
The Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland have issued a statement on Assisted Suicide ahead of the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. In it, the bishops explain exactly what ‘compassion’ means at the end of life – caring for and accompanying people, particularly during times of suffering. The statement strongly defends the vulnerable in society who are at risk through this proposed legislation, and the bishops advocate for better funded palliative care to be consistently available to everyone in need in England, Wales, and Scotland. “People who are suffering need to know they are loved and valued. They need compassionate care, not assistance to end their lives,” say the bishops. “Palliative care, with expert pain relief, and good human, spiritual, and pastoral support, is the right and best way to care for people towards the end of life.” They also assert that assisted suicide raises serious issues of principle that cannot be ignored: “The time given for Parliament to consider the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will permit assisted suicide is woefully inadequate. Although the Bill indicates safeguards will be in place, the experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced shows that such promised safeguards are soon forgotten. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and parts of the USA, the criteria for assisted suicide have been expanded significantly, in law or in practice, often to include people with mental illness and others who have no terminal diagnosis.” The bishops affirm the Catholic belief in human dignity and sanctity of life, but fear that a law that allows for assisted suicide could lead some to experience ‘a duty to die’: “Some may well feel their continued existence is a burden to others, and, implicitly or explicitly, be pressured into assisted suicide. This includes people who are elderly, infirm, and living with disabilities. The protection of such people is the foundation of civilised society. It is at the heart of good government.” The bishops also express their concern that this Bill will fundamentally damage the relationship between medical staff and their patients. They fear it could lead to pressure on medical practitioners to recommend or facilitate such procedures: “The impact on hospices, care homes, and those who work in social and community care cannot be underestimated. It will radically alter the ethos of trust and support which underpins our service to those in need and their families.” Finally, two weeks ahead of the debate and vote in parliament, the bishops urge Catholics and those who share our belief in the dignity and value of every human life, to contact their local MP to make their opposition known, asking him or her to oppose or not support the Bill. Many bishops have issued pastoral letters on assisted suicide. You can find those promulgated by the Bishops of England and Wales here alongside all our digital content on assisted suicide. |
BE COMPASSIONATE
A Statement by the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland All the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland agreed a statement in conference earlier today. I would be grateful if you could bring to the attention of your parishioners either by distribution with the newsletter or, if you judge this appropriate, as a message shared at the time of the Homily on Sunday. It is an exceptional moment which leads the bishops of all our countries to issue a statement in opposition to a Parliamentary Bill and to urge for the sick and aged compassion and a greater provision of palliative care. The statement again asks the faithful to be in contact with their Members of Parliament as the decisive parliamentary debate takes place in just two weeks’ time. I would also be grateful if you could distribute this statement after 11.00 am tomorrow (Friday 15th November) when the Cardinal will be hosting a press conference in London. With thanks for all you have already done and united in prayer for a happy outcome of this debate for the future of our society and the care of some of its most vulnerable members. With every good wish, Yours sincerely in Christ, + Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury
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Compassion motivates us to take the stand we do on assisted suicide, says Bishop Swarbrick
In a pastoral letter that offers a Catholic response to assisted suicide, the Bishop of Lancaster, Bishop Paul Swarbrick, makes it clear that our stance is motivated by compassion. “Our suffering, living in the shadow of death, is radically altered by the presence of Jesus, and the hope He gives shows us a better way,” he writes. “Ways of showing love and care need to increase, rather than termination of life. Love and care are effective ways of raising someone out of misery.” Bishop Swarbrick points out that Christ’s teaching on the origins and sanctity of life shows us that supporting the Bill is not compatible with our faith and the will of a loving God: “In choosing to oppose the Bill we will no doubt be judged by many as being without compassion. We must disagree with this judgement. It is compassion that motivates us to take the stand we do, the compassion of Jesus. “I commend each of you for the depth of care you show to individuals experiencing heavy burdens of physical, mental or emotional suffering. What you are doing is sharing with them the Mystery of the Cross within which is found at the heart of the Mystery of God’s love.” Like his brother bishops, the Bishop of Lancaster is encouraging both prayer and action. As well as praying for a truly Christian outcome for this Bill, Bishop Swarbrick writes: “Let Christ’s voice be part of the debate. I ask you to contact your local Member of Parliament, showing you are led by your faith. Share your opposition and concern for the Bill. Help to safeguard the vulnerable whose lives are at risk.”
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As Catholic Bishops in England and Wales, and in Scotland, we believe that genuine compassion is under threat because of the attempts in Parliament to legalise assisted suicide. ‘Compassion’ means to enter into and share the suffering of another person. It means never giving up on anyone or abandoning them. It means loving them to the natural end of their life, even if and when they struggle to find meaning and purpose. Compassion means accompanying people, especially during sickness, disability, and old age. This kind of genuine compassion is witnessed through the care and respect we show to people with terminal illness as they complete their journey in this life. We appeal to those who share our Catholic belief in human dignity and sanctity of life, including fellow Christians, other religious people, and people of reason and good will, to join with us in defending the weakest and most vulnerable who are at risk through this proposed legislation. Life is a gift to be protected, especially when threatened by sickness and death. Palliative care, with expert pain relief, and good human, spiritual, and pastoral support, is the right and best way to care for people towards the end of life. More adequate funding and resources for hospices and palliative care teams authentically serve and honour our shared human dignity. In the discussion around assisted suicide, so much is made of freedom of choice and autonomy; but autonomy is not absolute and must always be placed within the context of the common good of society as a whole. People who are suffering need to know they are loved and valued. They need compassionate care, not assistance to end their lives. |
Assisted suicide raises serious issues of principle. The time given for Parliament to consider the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will permit assisted suicide is woefully inadequate. Although the Bill indicates safeguards will be in place, the experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced shows that such promised safeguards are soon forgotten. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and parts of the USA, the criteria for assisted suicide have been expanded significantly, in law or in practice, often to include people with mental illness and others who have no terminal diagnosis. It is not always easy to predict the length of time a person with a terminal illness has to live, making this Bill unworkable. We are alarmed by the impact that legalisation will have on the most vulnerable members of our society. The option to end life can quickly, and subtly, be experienced as a duty to die. Some may well feel their continued existence is a burden to others, and, implicitly or explicitly, be pressured into assisted suicide. This includes people who are elderly, infirm, and living with disabilities. The protection of such people is the foundation of civilised society. It is at the heart of good government.
Click here for advice on writing to your MP about assisted suicide |
We are also concerned that this Bill will fundamentally damage the relationship between medical practitioners and their patients. It will potentially lead to pressure on medical staff to recommend or facilitate such procedures. Will the right to conscientious objection for individuals and institutions be guaranteed? The impact on hospices, care homes, and those who work in social and community care cannot be underestimated. It will radically alter the ethos of trust and support which underpins our service to those in need and their families. We urge all people of good will to oppose this legislation and, instead, to advocate for better funded palliative care which is consistently available to everyone in need in England, Wales, and Scotland. Please inform yourself and others about this issue and contact your Member of Parliament to make your opposition known, asking him or her to oppose or not support the Bill. As Catholic Bishops, we call upon all Catholics, and invite all those who share our Christian faith, to turn in prayer to God our Father. Please pray that the dignity of human life will be protected and defended. On the cross, Christ united Himself to every form of human suffering and every person who suffers. In Him, life is changed, not ended. He shows us, in His own crucified and risen body, that love is always stronger than death. 14th November 2024 |
Steps Towards Renewal |
Called and guided by Pope Francis, the first Synod on Synodality took place in Rome throughout the month of October. In his homily for the closing Mass of the Synod, the Holy Father recalled the Synod’s ultimate goal: ‘The Lord will guide us and help us to be a more synodal and missionary Church, a Church that adores God and serves the women and men of our time, going forth to bring everyone the consoling joy of the Gospel.’ During our Bishops’ Conference plenary meeting we listened to the personal reflections of those, from among our number, who experienced the Synod first-hand. We share with you here the fruit of our consideration and the response that followed. |
‘It is important to look at the “principle and foundation” from which everything begins ever anew: by loving. Loving God with our whole life and loving our neighbour as ourselves. Not our strategies, our human calculations, the ways of the world, but love of God and neighbour: that is the heart of everything. And how do we channel this momentum of love? I would propose two verbs, two movements of the heart, on which I would like to reflect: to adore and to serve. We love God through adoration and service.’ |
All renewal in the Church is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth draws us into the unity of faith, into communion with Christ, with the Church, and with each other. Renewal requires ongoing conversion, personally and in our communities. In discerning how this might be undertaken, we keep in mind the guiding themes of the synodal journey, namely communion, participation, and mission. These help us to formulate some important questions:
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| Participants who voted in the Synod on Synodality from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Archbishop John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark Bishop Marcus Stock Bishop of Leeds Bishop Nicholas Hudson Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster Rev Dr Jan Nowotnik Director of Mission and National Ecumenical Officer Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales |
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“Go beyond instinct, go beyond hatred. Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Lk 6:27) … If you do not react to the bullies, every abuse of power is given free rein, and this is not right. But is it really so? Does the Lord really ask impossible and indeed even unjust things of us?... Let us consider first and foremost that sense of injustice that we feel in “turning the other cheek”… Turning the other cheek is not the withdrawal of the loser, but the action of one who has a greater inner strength. Turning the other cheek means defeating evil with the goodness that opens up a breach in the heart of the enemy, unmasking the absurdity of his hatred.” Pope Francis  |
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Page last updated: 13 January, 2025 |