Archbishop Smith calls for stronger opposition to proposal to legalize euthanasia

London, England, Apr 27, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Peter Smith of the Archdiocese of Cardiff and Chairman of the Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship at the England and Wales Catholic Bishops Conference has called on Catholics to step up their opposition to the Joffe Bill, a proposal to legalize euthanasia in the U.K.

Specifically, he is urging faithful to sign the ‘Care Not Killing’ petition and write to their MPs and peers, according to a letter published this Wednesday.
 
The ‘Care Not Killing’ alliance plans to deliver the petition to Britain’s parliament on the morning of May 12th, the second reading of the Bill.

Archbishop Smith warned that “On 12th May 2006 a Bill to legalize assisted suicide for the Terminally Ill will be debated in the House of Lords. This Bill has been promoted by Lord Joffe and others, and marks the next step in a concerted and highly organized campaign to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in England and Wales.”

Last March, the ‘Care Not Killing’ program was launched to promote a culture of life and to defend the common good. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has formally joined the Alliance and is encouraging all Catholics to support its work in whatever way they can – through prayer, lobbying and with financial support.

Further information can be obtained by visiting:
http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/cnk/