In the “Day for Life,” message, Pope Leo XIV called on society to “defend rather than undermine a civilization founded on authentic love and genuine compassion.”
Newsroom, June 15, 2025, Gaudium Press – In a message marking Britain and Ireland’s annual “Day for Life,” Pope Leo XIV called on society to “defend rather than undermine a civilization founded on authentic love and genuine compassion.” The pontiff’s appeal comes as the British Parliament debates legalizing assisted suicide and decriminalizing abortion, while Ireland grapples with the impact of its 2018 abortion legalization.
The “Day for Life,” observed jointly by the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, carries the theme “Hope does not disappoint – finding meaning in suffering” this year. The message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, emphasizes the transformative power of grace in suffering. It states that the theme aims to highlight “how the mystery of suffering, so prevalent in the human condition, can be transformed by grace into an experience of the Lord’s presence, for God is always close to those who are suffering and guides us to appreciate the deeper meaning of life, in love and closeness.”
The pontiff’s message, addressed to Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, head of the Life office for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, prays for a collective witness to “the God-given dignity of every person, without exception, and to the tender Christ-like accompaniment of the seriously ill.” It concludes with an Apostolic Blessing, entrusted to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, imparting “fortitude, joy, and peace in the Risen Lord” to all supporting the initiative.
UK and Ireland Face Pivotal Legislative Debates
The Pope’s words arrive at a critical juncture. In the United Kingdom, the Assisted Dying Bill is set for debate in Parliament on June 20, 2025, alongside discussions on decriminalizing abortion. In Ireland, where abortion was legalized following a 2018 referendum, over 10,000 abortions were recorded in 2023, according to official figures.
Archbishop Sherrington, a leading voice in the Catholic Church’s response, outlined the Church’s opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill. “The reasons for our opposition are clear: any means of intending death is immoral, vulnerable patients may be subject to coercion and pressure, many healthcare workers will not have a right to conscientious objection, and it threatens the future of Catholic nursing homes and care homes, unless exemptions to the Bill are provided,” he said in a statement.
Sherrington also emphasized the Church’s alternative vision, rooted in faith. “What we want to offer into the debate, as Catholics, is that Jesus Christ is with us in the midst of our suffering,” he said. “The way that Christians support one another in suffering, particularly following the model of Jesus and the Good Samaritan, can help us to be that presence of Christ to others in the midst of suffering.”
A Call to Compassion and Dignity
The “Day for Life” message underscores the Catholic Church’s commitment to upholding human dignity amid societal shifts toward liberalizing end-of-life and reproductive laws. By invoking the Good Samaritan’s example, the Church seeks to promote compassionate care for the suffering, countering legislative trends that it views as undermining the sanctity of life.
As Britain and Ireland navigate these contentious issues, Pope Leo XIV’s words serve as both a spiritual exhortation and a rallying cry for those advocating for a culture of life rooted in love and solidarity.
Raju Hasmukh with Sources from: Vatican News, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, UK Parliament, Archbishop John Sherrington’s statement
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