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MPs have voted to back a bill legalising assisted dying in England and Wales by 314 : 291 votes, a majority of 23. This was lower than the 55 vote majority at the first vote in November, with many MPs switching sides to vote against, but not enough to stop the bill.
Reaction from Catholic Church: @catholicEW “The Bishops of England and Wales have been consistent and outspoken in their opposition to the legalisation of assisted suicide, and we are shocked and disappointed that MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.”
This week, Cardinal Vincent Nichols warned Catholic hospices and homes may close >>
Church of England bishops have consistently opposed assisted dying legislation. There has been no reaction yet from the Church of England, but before the vote it reposted the Bishop of London Sarah Mullaly: @churchofengland “The potential for abuse and uninformed or coerced decisions is enormous.” The Bishop of London has urged MPs to halt the passage of a bill legalising assisted suicide.”
The five hour Commons debate was emotionally charged and there were tears when the vote was announced. Lib Dem MP Tim Farron said the slashing of the majority may lead the Lords to think twice; Disability Rights UK said they are devastated MPs passed the bill; Kim Leadbeater MP said she was ‘over the moon’; Humanists UK rejoiced ‘We did it’;
More reaction collated on our website here >>
Catholic bishops ‘deeply alarmed’ that MPs voted to decriminalisie abortion, preventing women from being prosecuted if they terminate their pregnancy after the legal limit of 24 weeks. Campaigners urge the end to abortion “pills by post” scheme >>
Our briefing this week was on a global project to examine the changing role of religion in public life during the Covid pandemic, which concluded that it accelerated secularisation, defined as levels of religious practices. Read the article here and view / listen to the briefing via links here
Baroness Casey’s grooming gangs report found ethnicity of people involved was shied away from by authorities, for fear of being seen as racist and raising community tensions, but she warned that silence on ethnicity fuels harm Naz Shah MP warned against blaming entire communities >>
Sandford St Martin awards honouring broadcast content engaging with religion and belief, were presented at Lambeth Palace. The Special Award went to Horrible Histories, for helping young audiences understand belief >>
The challenges, concerns and benefits of reporting religion in the media were on the agenda at the sixth Religion Media Festival, held at Methodist Central Hall in London on Monday. Sir Mark Thompson, chief executive of CNN, and Channel 4 journalist Cathy Newman were interviewed, there were panel discussions on British Muslims, British Jews, community relations, reporting religion and millennials producing stories about faith and belief to new audiences. Read our mega report here. View our highlights film here.
More headlines ..
| UK Birthday honours for people of all faiths contributing to society >> Commons Education Committee told RE is vital for social cohesion >> First translation of Bible in Welsh on public display in Pembrokeshire >> MPs reject plans for CofE disciplinary hearings to be private >> CofE Bishops join politicians in call to tackle violent conflict >> Liverpool’s Catholic cathedral upgraded as Grade One listed building >> Former Ampleforth housemaster jailed for sexually abusing boys >> New survey of Jewish attitudes and experiences in Britain >> |
| INTERNATIONAL Chief Rabbi says Israel has ‘roared like a lion and gone after its prey’ >> Board of Deputies urges safe passage from Israel for stranded Brits >> Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem urges end to ‘terrifying’ conflict >> US Palestinian Christian group condemns Israel’s action against Iran >> Muslim Council of Britain condemns Israel’s strike as ‘act of genocidal regime’ >> Report says BBC is ‘systematically biased against Palestinians’ in Gaza coverage >> Petition to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Britain >> Search for children’s remains at Irish Catholic mother and baby home >> ‘Miracle baby’ televangelist dies in Kenya road crash >> World Vision highlights ‘catastrophe’ of severe hunger >> Faith leaders take centre stage in ‘No Kings’ March against Trump >> Christian singer Michael Tait confesses to a double life of drugs, alcohol and sex >> 47 per cent of US adults have a connection to Catholicism >> Faith leaders in Los Angeles mobilise to support immigrants >> |
| POPE LEO XIVPope says exploring the universe origins can lead to a more just world >> “South Side Pope” has rapturous welcome in his home city >> Pope going on a summer holiday >> Pope Leo XIV: War is always a defeat >> Pope’s Jubilee economists demand reform of international finance system >> Pope visits Vatican’s ‘invaluable’ shortwave radio centre >> |
AND FINALLY
Cheers, singing and prayer – the church in a pub in Bolton >>
Portable ‘tiny church’ set up in former fishing port in Denmark >>
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