British members of Parliament on Sept. 11 voted against a bill to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales, bringing a two-year debate in Parliament on the issue to an end for now.
The bill, originally sponsored by Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Kim Leadbeater, proposed to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales for people with a prognosis of six months or less to live.
Previously, the House of Commons passed the bill in 2024. Members again passed the bill in June 2025, and the House of Lords did not complete action on it before the session ended in April. Lauren Edwards of the Labour Party then reintroduced the bill in June.
"Throughout this debate, we have argued that our response to those facing serious illness, disability or the challenges of old age should be rooted in solidarity, care and respect," Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool said in a statement after the bill's 286-270 defeat on Sept. 11.
Ahead of the vote, Archbishop Richard Moth, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, called on the faithful to write to lawmakers to petition against the bill, calling it "wrong in principle."
"It is also deeply flawed and, if passed, could lead to vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives," he said.
He detailed that the bill "has a serious lack of protection for health and social care staff and risks putting many wonderful hospices and care homes in the position of no longer being able to operate."
Following the vote, Sherrington, the lead bishop for life issues for the bishops' conference, thanked "those who wrote to their MPs to stop the bill's progression and who assisted the campaign against the bill in other ways."
Call for 'excellent' end-of-life care
Sherrington highlighted his gratitude for the work of disability rights groups and legal and healthcare professionals for raising a voice to uphold "the dignity and sanctity of every life."
"The true measure of a compassionate society is its willingness to support people through difficult circumstances rather than encouraging them to end their lives," he said.
"Every day, families, friends, carers and healthcare professionals demonstrate extraordinary generosity in accompanying and supporting those who are suffering. Their dedication reminds us of the value of human relationships and of our shared responsibility to care for one another, especially at life's most vulnerable moments," he said.
The archbishop noted that "the most effective way to address suffering at the end of life is through greater access to excellent palliative and end-of-life care."
"Ensuring such care is available to all who need it can help people experience comfort, dignity and support in their final days," he said.
"May all the sick and frail find comfort in the support of their loved ones, and the love of God, which transcends all suffering. I ask the Catholic community to continue to pray for our legislators, that they will ensure that our laws always uphold the dignity of human life," he said.
