Day of prayer called for ahead of U.K. vote on assisted suicide bills

A coalition of faith-based organizations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are urging Christians to join them on June 11 to pray against two bills aimed at legalizing assisted suicide. The Christian Institute, Affinity, CARE, the Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Concern, and the Evangelical Alliance called for the day of prayer. The groups said the event is an opportunity to pray for those who could suffer if the bills pass, as well as for medical professionals and lawmakers. The coalition in March held a similar day of prayer against the laws.

What are the bills being considered? In the United Kingdom, parliamentarians are considering the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that would allow adults in England or Wales to end their lives with the help of a medical professional. Meanwhile, the Scottish Parliament is considering a nearly identical measure. Lawmakers are set to vote in the coming weeks on both pieces of legislation.

Has anyone else expressed opposition to the laws? British lawmaker Brian Mathew last week expressed concerns that terminally ill individuals may decide to pursue assisted suicide because they feel like they had become a burden to their families. He originally backed the bill but indicated he had changed his mind. Several other lawmakers have publicly said they would no longer back the measure after previously voting in favor of the legislation.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report about amendments to the U.K assisted suicide bill.