CHARIS England and Wales back Archbishop Wilson's call to reject 'terrifying', 'deadly' assisted suicide Bill

CHARIS England and Wales is backing the Bishops' Conference in opposing the assisted suicide Bill which has been put forward by Labour MP Lauren Edwards.

After the first attempt to legalise assisted suicide failed in the British Parliament in the spring, Edwards is making another attempt to introduce the bill on 11 September.

Archbishop of Southwark John Wilson, who has worked with the Southwark Charismatic Diocesan Service of Communion (CDSC), is warning that the Bill is 'terrifying' and 'deadly.' He said: "Whatever language those campaigning for assisted suicide may use, the terrible truth remains unchanged: should this proposal become law, grandparents, mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons will die believing there is no possible alternative, no chance of being cared for and loved until their natural death."

Watch Archbishop Wilson's message below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi1pjO7uJ2w&t=6s

Archbishop Wilson's call came after Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for palliative care services to be properly funded.

Archbishop Sherrington said: “It is highly significant that the Prime Minister has confirmed his position about the need for proper palliative and social care ahead of the Second Reading of the fundamentally flawed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in September.

"We have consistently called for meaningful investment in palliative and end of life care as an appropriate focus to uphold the dignity of all at the end of life and opposed a bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide."

Rejecting a 'flawed' Bill

Archbishop Wilson, who has knelt to receive prayer at cathedral Renewal gatherings, urged MPs to reject both the assisted suicide proposals and a culture of death. He said: "It is a question about the kind of society in which we wish to live. The choice is stark. Do we want to value each person’s life, especially when they become vulnerable through serious illness or disability? Or do we want to create a culture where killing is a better option than caring?"

Lauren Edwards has published a Bill which is almost identical to the version which failed in the previous parliamentary session — a Bill whose flaws were pointed out by a number of medical colleges, such as the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as numerous disability campaigners and eating disorder charities.

Catholic Peer Lord Alton outlined the dangers of the Bill, saying: "Andy Burnham knows how it would endanger vulnerable people including people with disabilities. He should make it clear it would not be enacted on his watch.

"More and more people are changing their minds - following the example of the Scottish Parliament - and putting public safety and the protection of disabled and vulnerable people first."

'There is no place for assisted suicide in our country'

Archbishop John Wilson issued a call to 'be the light of Christ in our society', saying: "Christ is the reason we raise our voices on behalf of those who are vulnerable. It is the light of Christ which we must make visible to a world that finds it impossible to live in hope."

"Use your voice for those whose lives would be placed at risk by this deadly Bill. In doing so, we give glory to our Father in heaven. (Mt 5:16)

"We must continue to make our voices heard. So please write to your Member of Parliament and make clear that there is no place for assisted suicide in our country: not now, not ever.

"Be the light of Christ in our society and take action before 11 September."

CHARIS England and Wales back call 'to reject this dangerous Bill'

Andy Drozdziak from the CHARIS National Service of Communion(CNSC), the principal co-ordinating organisation of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in England and Wales, backed Archbishop Wilson's call. He told the CHARIS England and Wales website: "We are called by Jesus to be His hands and His feet. This Bill is riddled with flaws and defects, and would be extremely dangerous to the disabled, poor and vulnerable if it were to become law.

"Jesus tells us that, whatever we do to the least of His brothers and sisters, we do to Him. As Archbishop Wilson reminds us, we must be the light of Christ, speaking up for the weak, the poor and vulnerable and calling our MPs to reject this dangerous Bill."

Andy encouraged us to not act 'in our own power and strength', saying: "Let's be guided by the power of the Spirit, acting in a prayerful and loving manner. As Scripture repeatedly reminds us, the Lord is compassion and love.

"Let's pray for our leaders, for wisdom, discernment and true compassion. Come, Holy Spirit, renew Your wonders, and let this Bill fail."

Write to your MP, asking them to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, through the Right to Life website