Nuncio encourages English bishops to oppose assisted suicide bill

May 08, 2014

The apostolic nuncio to the United Kingdom has encouraged the English bishops to proclaim the Gospel of life as the House of Lords considers legislation on assisted suicide.

“I cannot fail to express concern about the Assisted Dying Bill which will be discussed in the next few months in the House of Lords,” Archbishop Antonio Mennini said in an address to the bishops of England and Wales.

“This is a very sensitive issue, which required a serious commitment from us to protect and defend human life as a gift from God,” he continued. “As Pope Francis said in His Message to Catholics in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales on the occasion of the Day for Life celebrated last year: ‘Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.’”

After thanking the bishops’ conference for its work against the bill, Archbishop Mennini called upon each bishop “to announce the Gospel of Life among our people, as well as in society in general, presenting the reality which hides behind the ‘nice,’ ‘politically correct,’ and ‘compassionate’ expression ‘assisted dying.’ Unfortunately we know from experience how easily public opinion can be manipulated, especially using ‘emotional’ arguments that try to move compassionate sentiments.”

 

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Further information:

• Papal Nuncio affirms Gospel of Life in speech to Bishops (The Catholic Church in England and Wales)