Bishop Philip writes…

Last week, the House of Commons voted in favour of two matters that fundamentally change our society’s long held values and relationships on matters of life and death. One vote has now made it legal for a mother to abort her baby up to the moment of birth. The other legalises suicide and offers assistance with suicide to those who are terminally ill. These are truly bad moves. Assisted suicide will put pressure on the elderly and the dying, making them feel they are a burden. Assisted suicide will also undermine palliative care, as Cardinal Nichols points out below, and the trust that should exist between patients and doctors. More, the range of eligibility is bound to expand over time so that death by suicide will become entirely normal. Although not unexpected, this vote poses a grave danger. Britain is crossing a line from which there will be no return.

This legislation makes one thing crystal clear. As Catholics, as in ages past, we will stand out from the crowd more and more and from others in our society who see human life, its dignity and value, in a radically different way. It is my hope and prayer that God will give us the grace to live our discipleship ever more authentically so that the true beauty of our Catholic faith might become even more evident. I pray that the splendor veritatis, the beauty of the Truth, the hope it gives, especially to the vulnerable, and the Gospel vision of the human person – fallen but redeemed, an incarnate spirit called to live a good life here on earth and one day to be with God for ever in Paradise – will shine out for all to see.

The Church is the Ark of Salvation. I pray that this sinister legislation and the bleak future it unleashes will cause such a reaction that many more people will be drawn to the Person of Christ and the glorious communion of His Church.

Meanwhile, welcome to this e-News for Tuesday 24th June 2025. Our thanks to Deacon Craig for editing this edition and to all of you for submitting the contents. I wish all our readers a blessed week ahead.

In Corde Iesu

+ Philip

Bishop of Portsmouth