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A bill aiming to legalise doctors helping terminally ill people commit suicide has been overwhelmingly defeated in Britain’s House of Commons.
The private member’s bill, sponsored by Labour’s Rob Marris, was defeated 330-118, with 220 MPs absent at the vote on September 11.
Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark said he hoped the result meant that this would be an end to the debate on assisted dying.
“I welcome Parliament’s recognition of the grave risks that this bill posed to the lives of our society’s most vulnerable people,” he said.
“There is much excellent practice in palliative care which we need to celebrate and promote, and I hope now the debate on assisted suicide is behind us, that this will become a focus for political action.
“I am encouraged by the participation of so many Catholics throughout England and Wales in this important discussion and hope that everyone involved will continue to support calls for better quality care as life nears its end,” he added.
British Prime Minister David Cameron was firmly against the bill becoming law.
Ahead of the vote, Catholic and Anglican leaders urged the faithful to contact their MPs to oppose the bill.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster said he believes this grassroots opposition played a role in the measure’s defeat.
“I thank all Catholics in our parishes who took the time to write to or visit their Member of Parliament to express their concern about the bill,” he said.
“It was an important moment of witness to our Christian faith and the value it places on each and every human life.”
Sources
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News category: World.
