By Charles Igwe
As the British Parliament prepares for a pivotal vote on 29 November regarding the contentious Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, faith leaders across the UK have voiced their firm opposition. Introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the proposed legislation seeks to permit mentally competent, terminally ill adults to end their lives with approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
The bill has ignited intense debate nationwide, with significant resistance from religious groups. For months, the Catholic Bishops and other faith leaders have raised ethical, societal, and practical concerns about the potential impact of the legislation.
This week, those concerns were reiterated in a joint letter signed by prominent religious figures, including Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW); Anglican Bishop of London Sarah Mullally; Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis; and Imam Qari Asim, Chair of the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board.
The letter warns against the risks of abuse and coercion that the legislation could pose, particularly for society’s most vulnerable groups, such as older people with insufficient social care and individuals with disabilities. Faith leaders expressed fears that these individuals could face pressure to end their lives prematurely.
The signatories emphasized that the current legal framework provides better safeguards, citing evidence from jurisdictions with similar laws, where promised protections have often failed to shield vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Rather than legalizing assisted suicide, faith leaders urged Parliament to focus on improving access to palliative care, which they noted remains “worryingly underfunded.” They advocated for a compassionate approach to end-of-life care, stating, “A truly compassionate response to the end of life lies in the provision of high-quality palliative care services to all who need them.”
The Catholic Medical Association echoed these sentiments, calling the proposed bill “dangerous” to both palliative care and the doctor-patient relationship. They also criticized the legislation for offering insufficient protections for conscientious objection and raising concerns about Catholic-run hospices being forced to participate.
While opposition to the bill remains strong among faith leaders and medical professionals, the British Medical Association (BMA) adopted a neutral stance on assisted suicide in 2021, leaving the debate open as Parliament considers this controversial legislation.
