Dear friend,
 

I am profoundly concerned regarding the recent decisions of the new Archbishop of Canterbury who has said she is prepared to table an amendment so the Lords can vote down the Bill or that the Bishops in the Lords are prepared to do everything in their power to block the Bill entirely. Although I understand something of their point of view, I am struggling immensely with their apparent lack of regard to understand the views of so many others both within and outside of the church who are supportive of this Bill.
 

My own mother suffered an indescribably painful death, despite receiving compassionate palliative care, it just wasn't enough to ease her pain. In her final days, she asked me to promise that I wouldn’t let her suffer, and it broke our hearts as a family that we couldn’t give her what she so clearly needed. She was a woman of strong faith and just wanted to go home to heaven... quickly. But, like so many others who have endured the loss of their loved ones in this way, the injustice of the whole experience has remained caught in my soul forever.
 

As we move to debating the next part of the Bill it’s important to be mindful that decisions need to be made on behalf of the people, and that means really listening to what is being asked for and not just deciding what you think is right for them. Choice needs to be given to all the people and not just the chosen few, so we must stand up for dying people, and for democracy itself.
 

As a parish priest, I have spent many years ministering alongside people through illness, dying and grief, and because of this I believe that we are called not only to help and support them in their time of need, but if we are able in any way to ease their suffering, then we should, and do so in the name of a loving God.
 

Therefore, we cannot let the reason that this Bill falls be based on so few speaking for so many, so I ask that we do all that we can to enable this Bill to continue its journey by leading the way with compassion, hope and dignity so we can return the choice to those who need it the most.

Joining Dignity in Dying as a member will power the movement holding the Bishops, and the whole House of Lords, accountable.

Here is the link to join as a member: www.dignityindying.org.uk/join