Sunday 15 June marks this year’s Day for Life, a date that Archbishop John Sherrington is asking all from across the archdiocese to mark in their diaries for prayer and action.
Poignantly, the Bill on Assisted Suicide is likely to have its Third Reading vote and discussion in the House of Commons on 13 June, two days prior, and Archbishop Sherrington is asking all parishioners to get involved by contacting their MPs with their opposition to the Bill.
Archbishop Sherrington said: “The reasons for our opposition are clear; that any means of intending death is immoral, that vulnerable patients may be subject to coercion and pressure, that many healthcare workers will not have a right to conscientious objection and that it threatens the future of Catholic nursing homes and care homes, unless exemptions to the Bill are provided.”
“I would encourage you to contact your MPs, I know some MPs of the archdiocese are opposed to the Bill and I thank them for their stance.”
Recently, Liberal Democrat MP Brian Matthew has indicated he has changed his views and will now vote against the Bill, showing the importance of continuing to contact your MP.
During a recent video interview on Day for Life with Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Archbishop Sherrington who is also the national Lead Bishop for Life Issues, talks more about the theme of this year which is: Hope does not disappoint: Finding meaning in suffering.
He said: “What we want to offer into the debate, as Catholics, is that Jesus Christ is with us in the midst of our suffering.
“Now, I know that the non-believer will find that difficult, but perhaps it’s the implication that Christ is with us and the way that Christians support one another in suffering, particularly following the model of Jesus and the Good Samaritan, that can help us to be that presence of Christ to others in the midst of suffering.”
“People are at the core of Day for Life because Christ’s example inspires us to support our loved ones. He added: “Human compassion, human presence to another person is at the heart of this theme that hope does not disappoint.”
Pope Leo XIV has sent a message to Catholics ahead of the day, which was conveyed by the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in a letter to Archbishop Sherrington.
He said: “Pope Leo prays that, through your common witness to the God-given dignity of every person, without exception, and to the tender Christ-like accompaniment of the seriously ill, all in society will be encouraged to defend rather than undermine a civilisation founded on authentic love and genuine compassion.
“In this Jubilee Year focussed on the theological virtue of hope, it is fitting that your theme, ‘Hope does not disappoint – finding meaning in suffering’, seeks to draw people’s attention to how the mystery of suffering, so prevalent in the human condition, can be transformed by grace into an experience of the Lord’s presence, for God is always close to those who are suffering and guides us to appreciate the deeper meaning of life, in love and closeness (cf. Message of His Holiness Pope Francis ‘ XXXIII World Day of the Sick).”
How can I get involved in Day for Life?
Action:
Ahead of the Third Reading in parliament, contact your MP about the Assisted Dying Bill: Write to MP to stop assisted suicide Bill - Easy tool
Watch:
Watch the full video of Archbishop Sherrington talking about Day for Life here: Archbishop reflects on the message for Day for Life 2025 - Catholic Bishops' Conference
Pray:
A prayer booklet has been created so you can pray on or around Day for Life: Bishops' Message and Prayer Booklet for Day for Life 2025 - Catholic Bishops' Conference
Donate:
To donate to the Day for Life fund, visit: Donate - Day for Life - Catholic Bishops' Conference
