The Bishop of Portsmouth has said that “Britain is no longer a Christian country” following the vote by MPs to legalise assisted suicide.
In a pastoral letter to his diocese to mark the first Sunday of Advent, Bishop Philip Egan stressed that a line has been crossed in Britain from which there is no return.
The Terminally Ill (End of Life) Bill passed Second Reading by 330 votes to 275, a majority of 55, making extremely likely that assisting in suicides will be lawful for the first time in British history.
At present, assisted suicide is prohibited by up to 14 years in jail under the Suicide Act 1961, though prosecutions are rare.
The Bill will allow medical practitioners to assist in the suicides of terminally ill adults who are deemed to have just six months to live. Two doctors and a High Court judge must approve their deaths.
“Our world here in the UK has now changed, unfortunately not for the better,” the Bishop wrote.
“As people of reason and people of faith, we know this is a truly bad move. It will put pressure on the elderly and the dying, making them feel they are a burden”.
“Although not unexpected, this vote poses a grave danger. Britain is now crossing a line from which there will be no return.”
Read the rest: https://catholicherald.co.uk/britain-is-no-longer-a-christian-country-says-bishop-following-assisted-suicide-vote/
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