A Liberal Democrat MP has accused his local priest of trying to “coerce” him over his vote on assisted dying, after being publicly denied communion during Mass.
Chris Coghlan, MP for Dorking and Horley, described the priest’s actions as “outrageous” and has submitted a formal complaint to the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Rt Rev Richard Moth.
The dispute stems from Coghlan’s support for the assisted dying bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 20th June with a majority of 23.
According to the MP, he was contacted ahead of the vote by Father Ian Vane, priest at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorking, who warned that voting in favour would constitute “obstinately persevering” in sin and result in exclusion from communion.
“As priests, we are custodians of the sacraments,” Fr Vane reportedly wrote.
Two days after the vote, Fr Vane is said to have announced at both the 8 am and 10 am Sunday Masses that Mr Coghlan would be refused communion. The MP did not attend either service.
Speaking to The Observer, Mr Coghlan said: “It is completely inappropriate. It undermines the legitimacy of religious institutions in this country if representatives think it is acceptable to try to coerce members of parliament.”
The incident has sparked heated debate on social media, with users divided. While many have defended the MP, others sided with the priest. One user wrote: “I applaud your priest. Perhaps your politics and your faith are incompatible. You’ll have to decide which you’ll follow.” Another added: “You cannot receive Holy Communion when in a state of mortal sin… If you wish to receive it, go to confession and follow the penance of the priest.”
The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton declined to comment on the specific case, but confirmed that Bishop Moth had spoken with Mr Coghlan and offered to meet him in person.
In a statement, the diocese said: “The recent vote on the assisted dying bill was a complex one for all involved, and while many in our society are deeply saddened by the result, we recognise the difficult task faced by MPs in seeking to represent their constituents.
"The Catholic Church believes in the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person. Prior to the vote, Bishop Richard Moth encouraged clergy and lay faithful to write to their MPs in a private capacity to express their concerns about the bill and to ask them to vote against the proposed legislation.
"Our prayers remain with all those impacted by the passing of this bill, and the peers in the House of Lords who are engaged in the next stage of the debate.”
There is no suggestion that Bishop Moth or the wider Church instructed priests to withhold communion from MPs who supported the bill.