Pastoral Letter from Bishop Richard April 2025
Webmaster • April 4, 2025
Bishop of Arundel & Brighton
Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of England & Wales
on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
5/6 April 2025
Fifth Sunday of Lent
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I wish to speak with you today about the process in which our Parliament is currently considering legalising assisted suicide through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. As I have made clear earlier in this debate, as Catholics we have maintained a principled objection to this change in law recognising that every human life is sacred, coming as a gift of God and bearing a God-given dignity. We are, therefore, clearly opposed to this Bill in principle, elevating, as it does, the autonomy of the individual above all other considerations.
The passage of the Bill through Parliament will lead to a vote in late April on whether it progresses further. This will be a crucial moment and I, together with all the Bishops of England and Wales, am writing to ask your support in urging your MP to vote against this Bill at that time.
There are serious reasons for doing so. At this point we wish not simply to restate our objections in principle, but to emphasise the deeply flawed process undergone in Parliament thus far. We wish to remind you that it is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fundamentally change many of the key relationships in our way of life: within the family, between doctor and patient, within the health service. Yet there has been no Royal Commission or independent inquiry ahead of its presentation. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill itself is long and complex and was published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it. The time for debate was minimal. The Committee examining the Bill took only three days of evidence: not all voices were heard, and it comprises an undue number of supporters of the Bill. In short, this is no way to legislate on such an important and morally complex issue.
One consequence of this flawed process is that many vital questions remain unanswered. Can MPs guarantee that the scope of the Bill will not be extended? In almost every country where assisted suicide has been introduced the current scope is wider than was originally intended.
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 to the provisions of this Bill, what is needed is first-class, compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives. This is already provided to many in our society but, tragically, is in short supply and underfunded. No-one should be dispatched as a burden to others. Instead, a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak. The lives of our families are richer for cherishing their presence.
It is a sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide.
I am sure that you will share these concerns. It is now clear that this measure is being rushed without proper scrutiny and without fundamental questions surrounding safeguards being answered. This is a deeply flawed Bill with untold unintended consequences.
Every MP, and Government, has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book. This, tragically, is what may happen. 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.
In his Letter to the Philippians, from which we heard in the Second Reading, St Paul reflects on the difficulties and responsibilities of life. He speaks of ‘pressing on’ and ‘striving’ for the fulness of life promised in Christ Jesus. Yet he is totally confident in his struggles because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus has made me his own’.
We too have many struggles. We too know that Christ Jesus has made us his own. So we too press on with this struggle, so important in our times.
May God bless you all,
Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Richard’s Ministry in Arundel & Brighton: 30 January, 6.30pm, Arundel Cathedral. People across our diocesan family are invited to join a special cathedral Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Richard, followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall, Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. All are welcome.
Adur Valley Catenians are trying to raise money for 'Safe in Sussex', a women's refuge from domestic abuse. Saturday 28th February , 6.30 for 7.00pm, at The Towers Convent, Henfield Road, Upper Beeding BN44 3TF Buffet Supper / Licenced Bar / Raffle / Prizes for the winners / Teams of 4-6 people / £12.50 per person / £8.50 under 18s. Tickets from: info@adurvalleycatenians.co.uk . Or call Adrian on 07976-913774, or speak to any of the Catenians after mass.
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us build a more fraternal and missionary church. Please also join the Cycle of Prayer for Ordinary Time: Winter Peace on Earth especially on the Day of Prayer for Peace (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) and Racial Justice Day (3 Sundays before the 1st Sunday of Lent) Christian Unity especially during the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January) Victims of Human Trafficking especially on St Josephine Bakhita (8 February) The Sick and those who care for them especially on World Day for the Sick (11 February) The Unemployed especially on the Day of Prayer for the Unemployed (1 Sunday before the 1st Sunday of Lent)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year from 18 to 25 January, providing an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity and join with our sisters and brothers in Christ. WPCU takes Ephesians 4:1-13 as its central text this year, which includes the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4). Prayers and reflections for WPCU 2026 have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church this year, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These resources draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia - some of which date as far back as the fourth century. Click here to find out more.
People have a Mass said for someone as a powerful form of prayer, offering the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for a specific intention, whether for the deceased (for their soul's purification in purgatory), the living (for healing, birthdays, anniversaries, or general well-being), or in thanksgiving, serving as a deep spiritual gift and expression of love for both the living and departed. What is the significance? Most Perfect Prayer: The Catholic Church considers the Mass the highest and most powerful form of prayer, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice. Act of Love: Requesting a Mass is seen as a profound gift, offering spiritual benefits beyond measure. Universal Application: Masses can be offered for anyone, living or dead, Catholic or non-Catholic, and for any worthy cause. Speak to Fr Graham or Antonia in the office if you would like to have a mass said. You can also read more here: The Greatest Gift.
What does it take to really know a person? We might have something in common, shared experiences or met many years ago. But we may still not know them. A person can be a mystery to us unless there is some deeper sharing, honesty and vulnerability. This "knowledge" of the other person is not merely intellectual. But at a deeper level, where the truth and the soul are exposed. John the Baptist makes it clear (twice) that as Jesus approached him for baptism he "did not know Him". John had heard about Jesus, they had even met in the womb. But he had not seen Him until now. But John's use of the word "know" is not limited to not having met Jesus. Now he sees Jesus and he knows Him. John experiences Jesus first as the "Lamb of God" and then as the "Anointed One" (Dove). This is our quest and life's work: to know God in Jesus as the one who takes away our sins and the one who breathes the new life of God in us. In this order. Jesus is the lamb who is sacrificed as our Passover as we are set free from sin. Through His resurrection we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In every cross in our life we experience the death of Christ and we come to know Him more as well as ourselves. As we are raised from the depths we experience the resurrection and the gentle infusion of the Holy Spirit leading us into the truth of ourselves and of God. It is only through these paschal experiences that we know ourselves, the sacraments, the scriptures and the God they reveal. We cannot know God or ourselves without knowing Jesus in His cross and resurrection.
Working together with CAFOD and Live Simply we are using the latest Live Simply PowerPoint, also presentations from SVP (St Charles project), a project management tool as an aide memoire, a recent A&B Live simply parish assessment, and other parish ideas and literature. The aim of the event is to provide help and support starting up projects, promote existing community involvements and make available current resources. See poster in church porch or contact Ashley Ralston ( ajralston37@gmail.com ) for more information
The Bible Group meet on Saturday mornings at St Peter’s (on weeks when there is a 10.00am mass). We are currently watching a new set of programmes set in the Holy Land with a new positive take on Christology. This will take us through Lent onto Easter and the last film called the Resurrection. All are welcome, whether you have been before or not.
Peace Sunday will be held on Sunday 18th January . The Bishops’ Conference encourage us all the use the day to reflect on the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace on the 1st January. Pope Leo has said that the theme for his message which will be 'Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace'. We will have a second collection this weekend to support Pax Christi’s work which includes promoting nonviolence as a way of resolving conflict, advocacy and campaigning for peace and peace education in schools. If you are unable to give on the day then you can also donate via their website www.paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/peace-sunday-appeal/
Archbishop-Elect Richard will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for his ministry amongst us at 6.30pm on Friday 30 January in Arundel Cathedral. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall in Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. If you are interested in attending the mass, please contact Antonia in the Parish Office: adurvalley@abdiocese.org.uk , so we can get an idea of numbers. There will be more details available soon.