On Friday 29^th November, MPs voted in favour of proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will now face many months of debate and scrutiny by MPs and peers, who could choose to amend it, with the approval of both Houses of Parliament needed for it to become law.

In the wake of the Second Reading of the proposed Bill and the vote by MPs, Bishop Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth has released the following impassioned message:

“Our world here in the UK has now changed, unfortunately not for the better. Last Friday, MPs voted to legalise assisted suicide, 330 in favour with 275 against. As people of reason and people of faith, we know this is a truly bad move. It will put pressure on the elderly and the dying, making them feel they are a burden. It will undermine palliative care 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 normal.”

Bishop Philip goes on to say:  “Although not unexpected, this vote poses a grave danger. Britain is now crossing a line from which there will be no return. Yet even so, all those of good will must continue the fight and the argument. As the bill goes through its lengthy committee stages, we now need to pray earnestly, and to work tirelessly, to contain its range and its reach, to ensure that people of conscience are not forced into participation. Indeed, given that some MPs who voted in favour are now wavering in their support, we should contact our MPs to urge them to vote against the bill at its Third Reading.”

The Bishop made clear that the outcome of the MPs vote will have a profound and dispiriting impact on the faithful. “This legislation, however, makes one thing crystal clear”, he said. “Britain is no longer a Christian country. To be a Christian in future will not be easy, if ever it was. More and more, as in ages past, we will stand out from the crowd and from others in our society who see human life, its dignity and value, in a radically different way. It is my hope 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.”