Cardinal calls for Holy Hour for Catholics in England and Wales to reject assisted suicide law | National Catholic Register

Catholics across England and Wales are being called to unite in prayer on the evening of November 13, following a plea from their cardinal to oppose the proposal to legalize assisted suicide.

In a video message released Friday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, announced that the bishops of England and Wales will hold a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament at their usual plenary meeting in November and encouraged Catholics to join to pray to them.

In his video statement, Nichols said: “On Wednesday, November 13, your bishop – all the bishops of England and Wales – will kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and pray for our country.”

“Now we pray together on that day as we quickly approach the presentation in parliament and a vote on a bill that could introduce assisted dying,” he continued. “… Now we want to pray about this, because it is a step to really diminish the importance of every human being, by really saying that my life is not a gift from God.”

The latest bill, which would legalize assisted dying for the terminally ill, has been introduced in the House of Commons and will be debated and likely voted on on November 29.

The bill was initiated by Kim Leadbeater, Labor MP for Spen Valley.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his personal support for a change to the law on assisted suicide, which currently states that aiding and abetting suicide can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

When Members of Parliament vote on November 29, it will be the first time they have voted on similar legislation since 2015, when assisted suicide was rejected by 330 votes in favor to 118 against.

In his statement, Nichols said: “We pray passionately that we will not move forward with legislation that promotes a so-called ‘right to die’. That will most likely become a duty to die and put pressure on doctors and medical staff to help take life instead of caring, protecting and healing.”

In addition to the cardinal’s message, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has also released a booklet for Catholics to use during their Holy Hour. This contains a reflection written by the cardinal, similar to his video message.

The reflection concludes with a request for prayers for the palliative care community in England and Wales, arguing that society should invest in resources for them rather than resorting to such legislation.

Nichols concludes: “This is an important moment in our history. Please write to your Member of Parliament (MP) to make your voice heard. Many have not yet decided how to vote. May God bless us all, bless our countries, and bless those who make our laws with the courage to embrace and uphold a culture of life.’