The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Rt Revd Michael Beasley, has expressed serious reservations about the forthcoming parliamentary debate on legalising assisted dying, scheduled for 29 November. In a heartfelt letter, the Bishop warned against hastily passing legislation that he believes could have profound and potentially harmful implications for vulnerable individuals.

Bishop Michael's letter highlights a range of issues with the proposed bill, which would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to choose to end their own lives. He questions whether the limited scrutiny and short debate in Parliament — just five hours — is sufficient for a decision that could "fundamentally transform our relationship with death."

"This is a hugely emotive topic – but it is a fundamentally important one that we must all talk about, no matter how painful," he wrote, acknowledging the compassionate intentions of those in favour of assisted dying. However, he raised concerns about the bill's practical impacts, particularly for those who may feel pressured to choose death rather than risk becoming a burden.

His concerns are informed by insights from a local priest who recently returned from Canada, where assisted suicide is legal. The priest relayed troubling stories from his Canadian parish, including one patient who confided, "I feel such a huge burden on my family." Another patient, asked for advice, told him, "They want me to kill myself, what do you think, Father?" These accounts have intensified Bishop Michael's worries about potential pressure on individuals who may feel unable to make truly independent choices.

"It is immensely striking to me that the principal groups opposing the proposals being made are those who speak for those who live with disabilities and other vulnerabilities," Bishop Michael noted. His letter emphasised the need to consider the voices of the most vulnerable in society, who, he argued, could be at risk of "prematurely ending their lives" due to perceived pressures.

While proponents of the bill, such as Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, argue that strict safeguards are included to protect patients from coercion, Bishop Michael remains unconvinced. He points to Canada's experience, cautioning that "we cannot just assume that the legislation will contain adequate safeguards." He warned that introducing assisted dying could open the door to "ever-wider measures that result in the deaths of people who consider themselves, or are told that they are, burdens."

Instead of legalising assisted dying, Bishop Michael advocates for a focus on expanding palliative care services. He described the current state of palliative care funding as "chronically underfunded and under-researched," often reliant on charity efforts, such as those at Somerset's St Margaret's Hospice. "A dignified and compassionate response to the end of life will require the proper funding of palliative care," he stated, urging that this approach would better serve both the powerful and the vulnerable.

The assisted dying bill, introduced by Kim Leadbeater, would require patients seeking assisted death to meet strict criteria, including two independent medical opinions, a High Court judge's approval, and a waiting period. However, opponents like Bishop Michael and disability advocates argue that these measures may not be enough to protect society's most vulnerable.

With the debate and vote less than four weeks away, the issue is sparking intense public discussion and posing complex ethical questions for MPs and communities alike.