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,
We are honoured to be the first parish in 2026 to host a visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. This is a wonderful opportunity to have an insight into Fatima. There will be mass, rosary, meditation, confessions, divine mercy, films and items to buy. 9.45am until 4.45pm (please bring a packed lunch; tea & coffee will be available). To learn more, email: patsydaniels@gmail.com , or see poster/flyers in the porch. If you are able to help on the day please speak to Fr Graham or email the office.
Our Lenten Alms collections and donations will be distributed equally between our local SVP project at St Charles Borromeo and also Let the Children Live, a priest helping Columbian street children, see here . Collections throughout Lent.
Please bring items for ‘Personal Hygiene’ this week. Next week will be ‘Meal in a Tin’. Thank you for your support.
Calling all mothers, including spiritual mothers, godmothers and grandmothers. You are invited to come and prayer for our children. Every First Friday of the Month, 10.00-11.00am, in the Parish Room at St Peter’s.
The SVP offers friendship & practical help to those in need - whoever they are & whatever the need. You may be housebound, simply need someone to chat to or need help with a small task. You may have a crisis where a little help with the cost of something essential could make a big difference. You may need advice. If we can’t provide the particular help you are looking for we will try to find someone who can. For SVP help, or if you are thinking of joining us, please talk to one of us after Mass on the Appeal weekend. Thank you for your continued support.
We are hosting this year’s service at St Peter’s, which has been prepared by the women of Nigeria and the theme is " I will give you rest, come..." The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Parish Room afterwards. All are welcome.
At a station we wait or we stop. It is a pause on our journey. The last earthly journey that Jesus made, His Via Dolorosa, was marked with moments where Jesus paused carrying His cross. It is where the disciples recalled that certain things happened - a fall, a tender moment, a helping hand, a horrific blow or painful cry. Afterwards, the disciples would walk the same path along the narrow streets of Jerusalem in a way to remind them but bring them closer to their Saviour. These pauses were filled with prayer and in time song, in groups or individually. As believers spread from Jerusalem these moments and prayers came with them to our buildings. We can join Jesus on His last journey to Calvary. Stations of the Cross: Tuesday (CTK) 09.30; Wednesday (SP) 10.00; Friday (SP) 09.00; Friday (TT) 18.00
God has a special task for you. This task comes with a promise. For Abram it was to leave his country and go to the promised land. God chose prophets, men and women with messages and tasks to complete in His name. Jesus chooses apostles and disciples and equips them for the missionary task that still continues today. Jesus chose three apostles: Peter, James and John (by themselves), to witness special moments of healing or revelation. The Transfiguration is one of them. They see who Jesus really is in all His glory - a vision of heaven. They didn't understand it fully, how could they? It took time to reflect on its meaning. But they didn't forget. It took the traumatic events of the Passion of Jesus for them to realise that the revelation was to strengthen them and give understanding as to the purpose of Jesus' and their suffering. Similarly, three children: Lucia, Jacinta and Fancisco were chosen to see and hear our Heavenly Mother in Fatima in 1917. The purpose? To warn the world of the consequences of not listening and responding to Jesus. The message is still urgent, if not more so, today. This heavenly encounter with the Mother of God changed their lives. They all completed their tasks given to them and the promise too. Jesus has chosen this parish and YOU with the task of being apostles of this urgent message. PLEASE come and bring someone to next weekend's Fatima visit. It comes with a promise. With my prayer for you every day this Lent. May God bless you. Fr Graham.
This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.
SVP Cake Sale: Sunday 1st March, CTK Cuthman Room (after 11am mass) All proceeds to our local SVP, supporting the elderly, homeless, refugees and those struggling financially in our area. See poster for details.