Faith
Peers Pressed to Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill
Faith Facts
- The House of Lords is debating a bill on assisted suicide put forward by Kim Leadbeater.
- This legislation faces strong opposition from Christian leaders and organizations, highlighting concerns for the vulnerable and palliative care needs.
- The bill narrowly passed in the Commons and is not included in the current government’s election promises.
The debate over Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults Bill has reached the House of Lords, with more than 200 peers scheduled to weigh in. Christian organizations have voiced grave moral concerns about the proposed legalisation of assisted suicide for those with a terminal illness.
Leading faith-based charity CARE has called the bill “irredeemably flawed” and dangerous, warning it could devalue the lives of the sick and disabled.
“Legalising this practice would send the harmful message that lives marked by illness and disability are not worth living,” said Ross Hendry, CARE chief executive.
He emphasized the risk for “vulnerable and marginalised members of society: lonely elderly people, disabled people, victims of domestic abuse and others.”
Parliamentary committees have echoed concerns, pointing to the bill’s lack of thorough scrutiny and broad, unclear powers it would grant the government.
Bishops, including Sarah Mullally of London and the Archbishop of York, are expected to speak out, urging focused improvements in palliative care rather than pursuing assisted suicide.
Bishop Sarah Mullally stated her “grave fears regarding its potential to disproportionately impact the most vulnerable in our society.”
The Christian community stands firm for the sanctity of life, advocating government investment in palliative care as a reflection of compassion rooted in faith.
Let your voice be heard—join other believers in praying for and encouraging those in authority to protect life and prioritize compassionate alternatives.