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,
This Sunday, we encourage you all to come together at our SVP Christmas event, after the 9.00am mass, raising money for local people in need this Christmas. We have beautiful tote bags, quilt covers, table runners, stockings and Christmas gift bags of all sizes, all handmade by a craft group for us. Plus you can get a different Christmas outfit for the season, be it a jumper of glittery dress or other outfits for all ages, male and female, and a lot of these are brand new too. There will be a raffle, and cakes of all sizes, where you can buy a slice to take home or sit down and enjoy with your coffee. Scones, fruit crumbles and hot sausage rolls, all freshly made. All are welcome.
Times of the Christmas masses at OLQP:
Dear brothers and sisters, This Sunday sees the Church begin a new Liturgical Year. The First Sunday of Advent heralds a time of preparation for our celebration of the Lord’s birth. It is, also, a "season of two parts." We begin with a focus on the coming Kingdom of God. The second part, beginning on 17th December, provides a more intense preparation for Christmas. In this first part of Advent, we reflect on our hope in the coming Kingdom. This carries a particular resonance this year, perhaps, as we enter the final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Advent calls us to be open to the gift of hope. Hope is a virtue. Hope is a gift. It is a mark of the Christian, for our lives are a preparation for the coming of the Lord. We proclaim, every time we profess our faith in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Christian life looks forward all the time – in hope – to the wonder of the experience of total love in the Kingdom of the Father. This hope must inform our actions, our encounters with others, our words, our prayer. It is this hope that enables us to live our Christian life, sometimes in the face of opposition and not without suffering and difficulty, here and now – to be Christ’s people each and every day, as we await His coming. May this season be a time of renewed hope for us all, bringing us to be ever more effective in the work of mission that the Lord has given to us as beacons of hope, witnesses to the coming Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ. With every blessing, + Richard
We will be watching 'The Way', a film which has inspired thousands to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Friday 5th December at 7:30pm Fish and Chips will be provided as an optional addition for £10. Please email moviectkchurch@gmail.com if you would like to pre order food. All are welcome
Oh for swords to be changed into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks and all weapons of war to be disarmed, multilaterally, and food to be given to the hungry. This is the vision of Isaiah that flows from obedience to the word of the Lord and a promise of things to come. The Lord will accomplish it and if we are to share in it we must walk in the light of the Lord and "put on the Lord Jesus Christ". As we begin the season of Advent we pray and yearn for this conversion of heart and mind for ourselves and the nations. This is a new liturgical year and a new beginning. It is a time of hope and expectancy, not just for Christmas but for the completion of everything that Isaiah prophesied. During this time we are expected to be "ready" to greet Him who is to come - Jesus. We prepare to celebrate His first coming in humility at Christmas but first we prepare to greet Him when He next comes to reveal the new heavens and the new earth. That could be anytime - even before Christmas. To help prepare please take some of the resources we have available in church for Advent. It is good that we begin this season with an appeal to assist those in the missions and those whom they serve. We can help them in many ways, they will help us with their faith and prayer. With my daily prayer for a blessed Advent. God bless you. Fr Graham
This weekend we are welcoming Fr Hugh Seenan. The Missionaries of Africa (a.k.a. The White Fathers), are an international team of priests, brothers and lay associates from Africa, Britain and many countries around the world. Any ministry which has a real relationship with Africa, no matter in what part of the world it may be, is considered by the Missionaries of Africa to be within the scope of the apostolate. Through parish work, building up small Christian communities, working with the media, involvement in justice and peace, agriculture, seminary training, education and social welfare the Missionaries of Africa aim to work in partnership with the Church in Africa . . . and above all else to help build up the leadership of the Churches.” There will be a 2nd Collection at masses this weekend to support their work. Alternatively to donate online visit their website: www.missionariesofafrica.org.uk/donations , or you can make a transfer directly to their bank account: Account name: Society of Missionaries of Africa Account number: 82296731, Sort code: 60-21-07 Reference: OLQP Adur Valley, BN43 5WG
Throughout November, we will have the Books of Remembrance in the church. Please come and write in names of loved ones who have died in the past year (no need to rewrite names from previous years). On 22nd November at 10.00am, please join us for a special Memorial Mass at St Peter’s to pray in particular for loved ones who have died this year, and all those who are bereaved. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Parish Room. All are welcome.
Come and join us for coffee where there will be sweet and savoury treats on sale to enjoy with your coffee or take home. Also lots of Christmas gifts: jumpers, books, pyjamas, glittery outfits, plus a raffle. All proceeds to the SVP Christmas Parcels Campaign.
Saturday 29 November 10:30–12:30pm Title: “Watching in Silence: A Benedictine Advent” Abbot Mark will explore the quiet heart of Advent through the lens of Benedictine spirituality—a wonderful opportunity for reflection and preparation during this sacred season. • 10:30 am – Arrival and light refreshments • 11:00 am – Advent Talk and reflection • 12:30 pm – Light lunch and Midday Prayer (optional) To register: Contact Kelly at E: kohara@worth.org.uk
The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their apostolates of prayer, parish missions, hospitality, chaplaincy and youth work. Any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. Cheques payable to COLW can be sent to House of the Divine Will, Neatherd Moor, Dereham, NR20 4AZ. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org E: office@walsinghamcommunity.org T: 01362 692574