Bishop Stock: ‘Do not reject God’s loving gift of life’ Bishop Marcus Stock, Bishop Leeds, makes this call ahead of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, 11 September. “Our time is precious. “Throughout our lives, we hope for more, or at least enough time to spend with others or have quiet time to ourselves. Time to complete projects at home or at work, to increase our knowledge, develop our talents, and fulfil our potential. Every day, every moment is precious. Not to be wasted or cut short. And perhaps our time is most to be treasured when it is running out toward the natural end of our lives. “Time to change our hearts and minds, come to terms with what we have achieved or left undone, reconcile with others, perhaps to pray Maybe for the first time ever, so that even in our last few moments we experience the peace which comes through God’s mercy and forgiveness. Assisted dying and dignity in dying are simply euphemisms for assisted suicide. There are many ways in which people can rightly and properly be assisted to die with dignity. By offering them our love and care, by supporting them and their families with our prayers, and through the services provided by palliative care and hospices. Advanced age, sickness, or improperly managed pain should never be the reason for someone to want to commit suicide, least of all with the help of the very healthcare professionals who care for them and the families who love them. “As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of all human life throughout its natural span. We believe that, except in cases where our mental health is adversely affecting our capacity to make balanced choices, to intentionally take our own life is a rejection of God’s loving gift of life to us. And is therefore one of the gravest of sins. Living with the fear of death and pain is part of our human condition. But if, in the fullness of our time on earth, that natural fear is met with compassion, prayer, and the best medical, pastoral, and spiritual care, surely all people can live and die with true dignity.”  Please complete the postcard and send it to your MP, asking them to vote “no” to the Bill.

“The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is dismayed by the re-introduction of the flawed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill... The Commons Committee stage had been weighted heavily to supporters of the bill and was highly selective in the evidence they heard, excluding various organisations. CMA members who followed the debate were shocked at the way so many reasonable clarifications and amendments were rejected. The CMA both opposes the principle of legalising assisted suicide and specifically stands against this bill. It does this alongside professional medical bodies including the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Pathologists and Psychiatrists, the Association for Palliative Medicine, and the British Geriatrics Society... Medical opinion has changed...Prof Nicola Ranger, from the Royal College of Nursing, painted the stark picture of the “first discussion” not taking place with a doctor, but with a nurse at 2am. It is easy to imagine the permanent NHS bed crisis pushing a nurse to persuade the sick or elderly in the early hours that “You are not for resus, and you are expected to die in the next 6 months. You have a right to an assisted death… would you like me to ask the doctors in the morning?”, explaining how it would save money for the family and for the NHS. Public opinion has also changed. This May a major poll posed the question, “should the UK parliament prioritise fixing the NHS and improving palliative, social and end of life care before considering whether to introduce assisted suicide?” 60% overall agreed, compared to only 19% disagreeing and 23% who “didn’t know.” This is a dramatic change among a better-informed public. The CMA believes safeguards to protect vulnerable patients are of paramount importance. The recent dreadful scandals in maternity care prove the system cannot protect pregnant women and babies. How can we protect the sick, elderly, vulnerable and disabled from an NHS in crisis, desperate to clear beds, if assisted suicide is made legal?” For full statement, visit: https://catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk/

On 1 November 1950, Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the Apostles.  To avoid all that is uncertain the Pope did not state either the manner or the circumstances of time and place in which the Assumption took place—only the fact of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into the glory of heaven, is the matter of the definition. The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eyes in that direction, and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

Bereavement Talk time/Cuppa Would you like a chance to talk about the loss of a family member or friend? Whether it was recent or historical, the bereavement group was set up for this. We meet next Sunday 9th of August 2.30pm - 3.30pm at St David’s Chapel Please use the back gate in Bedford Street. Or you can make an appointment by phoning 07881 634 075