Catholic bishops in Wales warn of grave risks to the vulnerable as lawmakers debate the End of Life Bill legalizing assisted suicide.
Newsroom (16/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) As lawmakers in Wales prepare for a crucial debate on the future of assisted suicide, Catholic leaders are urging them to reject a British parliamentary bill they say threatens the dignity and safety of the most vulnerable.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed the House of Commons in June 2025 and is currently under consideration in the House of Lords. On January 20, members of the Senedd — Wales’s devolved parliament — will vote on whether to allow Westminster to continue legislating on the matter on their behalf. Should the Senedd consent, assisted suicide would become legally accessible for terminally ill adults in Wales once the British legislation is ratified, although it would not be administered through the Welsh National Health Service.
Bishops Express “Deep Concern”
In a joint statement, Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff-Menevia and Bishop Peter Brignall of Wrexham voiced “deep concern about the proposal to legalize assisted suicide and the serious implications this would have for Wales.”
The bishops warned that enshrining assisted suicide in law would mark “a profound change in how society responds to those who are terminally ill.” They cited international examples showing that, over time, eligibility criteria tend to widen, leading to a rise in assisted deaths and growing pressure on people who are elderly, disabled, or simply fear being a burden on their families.
“In our view, it would place many vulnerable people at greater risk,” the bishops wrote, emphasizing that compassion should be measured not by ending life but by supporting those enduring suffering. They highlighted Wales’s “long and proud tradition of compassion” and its commitment to valuing every human life through community care, health services, and volunteer organizations.
“True compassion,” they said, “does not mean ending a life. It means accompanying those who suffer, easing their pain, supporting families, and ensuring that no one feels abandoned, burdensome, or without worth.”
Call for Palliative Care, Not Assisted Death
The bishops reiterated that the Catholic community across Wales — through parishes, schools, chaplaincies, and charities — will continue its work supporting people at every stage of life, particularly those who are ill or dying.
“We believe that the right response to suffering is not to hasten death, but to strengthen palliative and end-of-life care so that every person can live their final days with dignity, comfort, and peace,” their statement added.
Growing Medical Opposition to the Bill
The Church’s objections echo concerns among medical professionals. More than 250 doctors and healthcare workers have signed an open letter urging Welsh legislators to reject the assisted dying bill.
They argue the measure’s criteria for terminal illness are dangerously vague, noting that “accurate prognostication is impossible” and that errors in diagnosis could have fatal consequences. The letter also warns that patients could feel pressured to seek assisted suicide if they perceive themselves as a burden or lack proper support services.
“Coercion is often covert and difficult to detect,” the letter continues, citing the particular risk when influence comes from family members or authority figures.
“Extremely Unsafe,” Say Physicians
Dr. Victoria Wheatley, a palliative care consultant and one of the letter’s signatories, described the proposed law as “extremely unsafe for the population of Wales.” Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Wheatley said, “Vulnerable people would be at great risk of having an assisted suicide when they shouldn’t do, and the safeguards with that are completely inadequate.”
As the Senedd prepares to decide whether to defer to Westminster’s legislation, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers across Wales continue to weigh the moral and social implications of a policy that could reshape the nation’s approach to death, care, and compassion.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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