The Bishop of Blackburn has joined the Archbishop of Canterbury in opposing the assisted dying bill, arguing instead for better palliative care.
Introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater, the bill seeks to legalise assisted dying for those with terminal illnesses given a prognosis of six months or less left to live.
Rt Rev Philip North, who oversees 272 Church of England parishes in Lancashire, said the bill “must be resisted strongly by people of faith”, and encouraged Christians to petition their MP to vote against the bill.
The Bishop warns that a right to die would "inevitably put pressure on elderly people and those who are near to death to put an end to their lives".
Arguing instead for improved palliative and social care, he said: "our life flows from God and will find its fulfilment in God. Our life is not our own possession.
"To relieve some people of physical pain, we will subject countless more to intolerable mental pain and torment”.
Bishop North joins the Archbishop of Canterbury in opposing it.
On Wednesday 16th October, Most Rev Justin Welby said: “Legalising assisted suicide would disproportionately impact many millions of vulnerable people, who might perceive themselves as a burden on those around them and the health service.
“Permission slips into being duty. This does not represent true choice for all, and I worry that no amount of safeguards will ensure everyone’s safety at the most vulnerable point of their lives.”
Yet other senior clergy members argue that allowing choice over one’s moment of death is an act of compassion. Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey, who retired as Archbishop in 2002, described the bill as “necessary, compassionate and principled”.
The bill’s second reading in parliament will be Tuesday 29th November.