Pastoral Letter on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Webmaster • April 6, 2025

Pastoral Letter on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill


To be read at all Sunday Masses on Sat 5 / Sun 6 April 2025 - Fifth Sunday of Lent


Dear brothers and sisters in Christ


Following my pastoral message in March 2024, I wish to speak to you again about the process by which Parliament is currently considering legalising assisted suicide through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. As I made clear previously, concerning this grave matter, as Catholics we maintain a principled objection to this change in law, because we recognise that every human life is sacred: a gift of God, bearing a God-given dignity. We are, therefore, clearly opposed to this Bill in principle, elevating, as it does, the autonomy of the individual above all other considerations.


The passage of the Bill through Parliament, as originally proposed, would lead to a vote in late April on whether it progresses further. This will be a crucial moment and I, together with all the Bishops of England and Wales, am writing to ask your support in urging your MP to vote against this Bill at that time.


There are serious reasons for doing so. At this point we wish not simply to restate our objections in principle, but to emphasise the deeply flawed process undergone in Parliament thus far. We wish to remind you that it is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences.


The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fundamentally change many of the key relationships in our way of life: within the family, between doctor and patient, within the health service. Yet there has been no Royal Commission or independent inquiry ahead of its presentation. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill itself is long and complex and was published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it. The time for debate was minimal. The Committee examining the Bill took only three days of evidence: not all voices were heard, and it comprises an undue number of supporters of the Bill. In short, this is no way to legislate on such an important and morally complex issue.


One consequence of this flawed process is that many vital questions remain unanswered. Can MPs guarantee that the scope of the Bill will not be extended? In almost every country where assisted suicide has been introduced the current scope is wider than was originally intended. What role, if any, will the judiciary have in the process? We were told that judicial oversight was a necessary and vital part of the process; now we are told it isn’t needed at all. What will protect the vulnerable from coercion, or from feeling a burden on family? Can the National Health Service cope with assisted suicide or will it, as the Health Secretary has warned, cause cuts elsewhere in the NHS? Can MPs guarantee that no medical practitioner or care worker would be compelled to take part in assisted suicide? Would this mean the establishment of a ‘national death service’?


In contrast to the provisions of this Bill, what is needed is first-class, compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives. This is already provided to many in our society but, tragically, is in short supply and underfunded. No-one should be dispatched as a burden to others. Instead, a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak. The lives of our families are richer for cherishing their presence.


It is sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide.


I am sure that you will share these concerns. Despite recent events, this measure is still being rushed without proper scrutiny and without fundamental questions surrounding safeguards being answered. This is a deeply flawed Bill with untold unintended consequences.


Every MP, and Government, has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book. This, tragically, is what may happen. So, I appeal to you: even if you have written before, please make contact now with your MP and ask them to vote against this Bill not only on grounds of principle but because of the failure of Parliament to approach this issue in an adequate and responsible manner.


In his Letter to the Philippians, from which we heard in the Second Reading, St Paul reflects on the difficulties and responsibilities of life. He speaks of ‘pressing on’ and ‘striving’ for the fulness of life promised in Christ Jesus. Yet he is totally confident in his struggles because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus has made me his own’.


We too have many struggles. We too know that Christ Jesus has made us his own. So, we too press on with this struggle, so important in our times.


With an assurance of my continued prayers and blessing

Yours devotedly in Christ

+John Wilson

Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark


Given at Southwark, 26 March 2025

Download the letter here

REDUCED SUMMER HOLY MASS SCHEDULE FOR ALL PARISHES

By Webmaster • February 16, 2026
All parishes, where more than 2 Sunday holy Masses are celebrated each weekend, in the Archdiocese of Southwark, by decree of Archbishop John, are required to reduce the number of Sunday holy Masses by one holy Mass, beginning on the third weekend in July until the first weekend in September. I would very much like to hear your view on this and also how you think we can achieve this in our Holy Family parish here in Sanderstead. Which of our three Sunday holy Masses would be best to remove? Do we need to change the times of any of our Sunday holy Masses? How best can we work with neighbouring parishes, which are also required to drop one holy Mass, to ensure Sunday holy Masses are available in our area?  Please let me know your views and suggestions on all this. The Archbishop wants our response by next Wednesday, Ash Wednesday! Please talk to me directly or by telephone, text or email, as soon as you can. I would like very much to hear your views and suggestions before offering our parish decision to the Deanery and to Archbishop John.

THANK YOU

By Webmaster • February 16, 2026
Thank you to Monica for Church cleaning. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to occasionally deliver two hessian bags of fruit, from our Parish Food Bank to the Good Shepherd Catholic school in New Addington. So far, 21 people have agreed to do this. If you haven’t yet had a chance to add your name and contact details to our list, please do so this week. There is a Sign-up Form in the porch of the church.  The Rota will begin next week. It will be published, week by week, in the Parish Newsletter. The first date for delivery to the school will be Thursday 24th February

WEEK DAY LECTORS

By WEBMASTER • February 15, 2026
Tue: Mutsa Wed: Jim Thu: David  Fri: Paul

HOLY MASS INTENTION/STIPEND

By Webmaster • February 15, 2026
An Intention for holy Mass is a specific prayer, often for a particular person or purpose, that a priest offers during the celebration of a holy Mass. It is the best way that we have to unite our lives, our hopes, our fears, our joys and our sorrows with the Lord Jesus. It is the best way possible, because every time holy Mass takes place, the Lord’s Death and Resurrection also takes place. A holy Mass Intention is a prayer asking that the Lord’s victory over sin and death be applied to the Intention. The Intention can be for those who are still living in this world or for those who have left this world. Anyone, of course, may request a holy Mass - In Thanksgiving, for a Birthday, for someone who has died, on the occasion of a special Anniversary, for someone who is unwell or for any other intention that we believe the good Lord wishes to hear and possibly to give us. Every holy Mass is the making present of the Lord offering his saving love to everyone, so every holy Mass is for everyone! However, sometimes we have specific Intentions that we may wish to mention to the Lord. A ‘Stipend’ or Offering for the holy Mass is not a fee! It is not ‘the cost of a holy Mass’! The holy Mass is so sacred, so full of the Lord’s presence and saving power that it is priceless! In fact, the Stipend is only a gesture of gratitude and care for the priest who celebrates the holy Mass for you. It is a way for supporting our priests who, although they do not receive salaries, still need personal funds to meet their own ‘costs of living.’ The Stipend suggested by the Archdiocese of Southwark Finance Committee is a minimum of £10 for each holy Mass. Of course, anyone who can’t afford a Stipend should still request a holy Mass Intention and I’m sure every priest would always be more than happy to celebrate holy Mass for someone in that situation.  Here in our parish, please use the holy Mass Intention envelopes which you will find in the porch of the church. Please write the details of the Intention, a preferred date if required, enclose the Stipend, and let me have it directly or post it through the presbytery letterbox.

ASH WEDNESDAY AND THE BEGINNING OF LENT

By Webmaster • February 15, 2026
We begin the holy Season of Lent, this week, on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. We will have two holy Masses for Ash Wednesday, as shown above. At each holy Mass, ashes will be blessed and distributed. The ashes will be placed on our foreheads, with the words: “Remember you are dust and to dust you will return”, a stark and dramatic reminder that all of us, young or not so young, are to leave this world in the not too distant future and to stand before God to give an account of how we have lived. If we are ready for that moment, all is well. Let’s make sure that we are indeed ready to meet Our Lord and Saviour by entering wholeheartedly into these forthcoming forty days of Lent. The best way to begin to do that is to celebrate the holy Mass of Ash Wednesday on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning and to receive the blessed ashes. Then, do something extra during Lent, to get to know the Lord Jesus better - weekday holy Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Morning/Evening Prayer from the Divine Office, Prayer in church before the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross, active involvement in some way in the life of our parish. Please note that Ash Wednesday is a Fast Day, when we do without meat and reduce the amount of food we eat.  Please note also that each Friday evening during Lent, we will meditate together on Our Lord’s suffering and death, at 6.00pm, praying the ‘Stations of the Cross’. Each week we will use a different set of meditations.

ECUMENICAL LENT MEETINGS

By Webmaster • February 15, 2026
As last year, I have invited our friends from the other Christian Churches in our area, to join us for a three-part series of discussions during the holy Season of Lent which begins in the not too distant future!  We will meet in the Olde Forge Cafe at 12.00midday for one hour, on the 12th, 19th and 26th of March. We will be talking about the three great theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. One of the leaders of each Christian Church in our area will give a 10/15 minute introduction and then pose a few questions to the group for discussion. On the 12th, Graham, our local Methodist Minister will lead on the theme of ‘Faith.’ I’ll lead on the theme of ‘Hope’, on the 19th. We will be led by a third person on the theme of ‘Charity’ on the 26th. Please pop these dates and time in your diary.

ROTA FOR LECTORS – FEBRUARY 2026

By Webmaster • February 15, 2026
31 January 5pm Lisa 1st February 9am Richard; 11am Lorenza 7/8: 5pm Mutsa; 9am Phil; 11am Marian 14/15: 5pm Jim; 9am Mike Guckian; 11am Chris Mallows 21/22: 5pm Collette; 9am Gerry; 11am Chinwe  28: 5pm Claire 1st March: 9am Giannina; 11am Maggie

‘NONVIOLENCE: A RADICALLY DIFFERENT RESPONSE TO OUR VIOLENT WORLD’

By Webmaster • February 9, 2026
‘Pax Christi’ are organising a one day meeting of presentations, discussion and reflection on Nonviolence. It will take place at the London Jesuit Centre on Saturday 14th March from 10.30am until 4.00pm . The meeting will be led by Professor Nicolas Paz, Director of the ‘Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’. I’m hoping to attend this meeting. Please let me know if you would like to join me.

THANK YOU

By Webmaster • February 9, 2026
To Bridget for all her great work for our Parish Food Bank. To everyone who helped to clean and tidy our church on Thursday and Friday last week. To David and Jim for removing the old electrical Sound System equipment.  To Marian for helping with the Food Bank.

HOSTS, IN THE EVANGELISATION CAFE, THE OLDE FORGE

By Webmaster • February 9, 2026
Thank you so much to all the wonderful people who act as Hosts in our Olde Forge Cafe. If you are not yet a Host, please speak with me. It would be great to increase the team of Hosts. All training to operate the Coffee Machine, will be given.