RC Archbishop: ‘Assisted suicide Bill could create a national death service’

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has urged congregations to ask their local MP to vote against Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is the Archbishop of Westminster, wrote a pastoral letter on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill for the parishes of Westminster archdiocese to read in this weekend’s services.

Archbishop Nichols warned that the proposals could create “a national death service”, by allowing patients in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live to receive help to kill themselves.

‘Unanswered questions’

The Cardinal said that not only does the Bill denigrate “God-given dignity”, but it has undergone a “deeply flawed” Parliamentary process, which means “many vital questions remain unanswered”.

“What role, if any, will the judiciary have in the process? We were told that judicial oversight was a necessary and vital part of the process; now we are told it isn’t needed at all. What will protect the vulnerable from coercion, or from feeling a burden on family?

“Can the National Health Service cope with assisted suicide or will it, as the Health Secretary has warned, cause cuts elsewhere in the NHS? Can MPs guarantee that no medical practitioner or care worker would be compelled to take part in assisted suicide? Would this mean the establishment of a ‘national death service’?”

In contrast, he emphasised that “a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak”. The Archbishop continued: “So I appeal to you: even if you have written before, please make contact now with your MP and ask them to vote against this Bill not only on grounds of principle but because of the failure of Parliament to approach this issue in an adequate and responsible manner.”

Prayer

Last week, thousands of Christians across the UK united together in prayer against two proposals to introduce assisted suicide.

On Tuesday 25 March, The Christian Institute, Affinity, CARE, the Christian Medical Fellowship and the Evangelical Alliance invited Christians to encourage their church and friends to join a National Day of Prayer on the issue.

Leadbeater’s Bill is scheduled for Report Stage on 25 April, while a similar Bill in Scotland, pushed by Liam McArthur MSP, is expected to be considered on 22 May.