Welsh bishops reaffirm opposition to assisted dying
As the bill reaches a crucial stage in the House of Commons, the bishops have republished their statement, calling for no limits on compassion.
"This is an extremely difficult issue over which different people, including Christians, will have arrived at differing views with the best of intentions," the statement read.
"Nonetheless, the protection of the most vulnerable people in our society from the risks inherent in this measure must be the paramount issue, and for that reason, we cannot in good conscience support the proposed legislation.
"There is abundant evidence from those jurisdictions where this measure has been enacted that good intentions can swiftly lead to bad and unintended outcomes, and to the devaluing of all human life."
The bishops also highlighted the importance of palliative care, saying: "Our Christian faith has always been rooted in the reality of pain and mortality, but also in the incalculable value of each human person, irrespective of their social standing, their access to resources, or their physical or mental ability.
"In that spirit, shown to us in the person of Jesus, we give our heartfelt support to the extension of the best possible palliative care to all who require it, so that no limits are put on the compassion which we show as individuals and as a society."
The statement was signed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, and six other bishops.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Archbishop of Wales announces retirement after damning reports
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Andrew John, has announced his retirement 'with immediate effect', after calls were made for his resignation over reports on the culture within the cathedral in his diocese. The sudden departure of John, 61, marks the second time in six months that a British Anglican leader has had to step down, after the resignation of the Right Rev Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury in January. The Church in Wales is the Church of England's sister church. There are no suggestions that John, who is also Bishop of Bangor, behaved inappropriately himself, however reports published last month laid bare 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' at Bangor Cathedral as well as other failings. These included 'conduct in some areas — relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour — that did not reflect the professional standards expected in a Christian church'; 'the presence of hurtful gossip, both in person and online, which caused pain and division'; and 'weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised'. The reports were only published in summary form, prompting criticism from Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who said of John last month: 'I would like him to come forward and explain what has happened and how he is going to put it right.' Ruth Jones ROGER HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY Earlier this week, John, who became Archbishop of Wales in 2021, issued a statement which read: 'I wish to apologise for errors of judgment I have made that have caused anxiety and hurt. My apology to you all is heartfelt, unreserved and unequivocal.' John, who has also served as Bishop of Bangor since 2008, said that the reports on Bangor Cathedral revealed 'shortcomings and poor organisational practice which should not have occurred', and added: 'I deeply regret that they happened under my episcopate and I recognise I ought to have done more to ensure such failings did not occur.' Days later, on Friday night, John issued an additional statement which began: 'I am writing to you to announce my immediate retirement today as Archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31.' He made no further mention of the scandal at Bangor Cathedral, and nor did the Bench of Bishops of the Church of Wales, who paid tribute to John by saying: 'We offer most sincere thanks, and our commitment to hold him and his family in prayer at this time and in the days ahead.' John's departure leaves both the Church in Wales and the Church of England in search of a new primate at the same time. • Welby says damning report that led to his downfall was flawed The BBC reported that six serious incident reports had been filed to Charity Commission related to charities linked to the Bangor diocese. Medwin Hughes, chairman of the Body of Representatives for the church, said he wanted to 'place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales'. It is understood that a meeting was held this week in which the trustees of the Church in Wales declared that they no longer had confidence in the leadership of the Bangor diocese. John added in his statement: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of working at your side for the sake of our saviour Jesus Christ. I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire and I will be in touch again about the way in which this might happen.' Lord Williams of Oystermouth served as Archbishop of Wales before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Obamacare Supreme Court decision: What it means for RFK Jr.
The suit started in Texas where two Christian owned business and individuals argued that health insurance plans they buy shouldn't have to cover medical tests and drugs they object to on religious grounds, such as the HIV-prevention drug PrEP. But the legal issue at the heart of the Supreme Court case was whether USPSTF is so powerful that, under the Constitution, its members must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the 6-3 majority that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can remove task force members at will and can review their recommendations before they take effect. "The Task Force members are removable at will by the Secretary of HHS, and their recommendations are reviewable by the Secretary before they take effect," he wrote. "So Task Force members are supervised and directed by the Secretary, who in turn answers to the President preserving the chain of command." The Health and Human Services Secretary has always appointed USPSTF members and ratified their recommendations, said MaryBeth Musumeci, teaching associate professor of health policy and management at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health. But the ruling expanded on that authority by clarifying that the secretary could also remove members and block recommendations, she said. Given that Kennedy had recently fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, another expert panel that issues health recommendations, Musumeci said "there is reason to be worried." The secretary has never removed access to preventive services that have been proven to help people stay healthy nor have they "sought to shape the membership of our expert panel in any way," USPSTF chair Dr. Michael Silverstein said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. "While the HHS Secretary has long had authority over the USPSTF, historically they have only acted to increase access to preventive care, occasionally going beyond the evidence to secure enhanced coverage for preventive services," he said. "Given our shared focus on preventing cancer and chronic disease, we certainly hope that the Secretary will allow our current work to continue unimpeded, as it has thus far." Surprise move? RFK Jr.'s vaccine committee votes to recommend RSV shot for infants Katherine Hempstead, senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health nonprofit, praised the SCOTUS decision because it meant that millions of Americans still have access to preventive care such as mental health screenings, cancer screenings, STI testing and important medications. But she also called the ruling both an "ending and a beginning." "It's the ending of the challenge but now it's the beginning of something that's going to unfold where we're going to see someone exercise control over this expert panel that has very strong opinions about... many aspects of medical care," she said. More details: Supreme Court rejects conservative challenge to Obamacare health coverage If Kennedy plans to target USPSTF, it's unclear what preventive services could be at risk, Musumeci said. But insurance companies ultimately have the final decision. Even if the secretary vetoes a new recommendation or revokes an existing one, insurance companies can still decide to cover the preventive service. America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association representing health insurance companies, plans to closely monitor the ongoing legal process but affirms that the SCOTUS ruling will not impact any existing coverage, according to an emailed statement sent to USA TODAY. Contributing: Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY; Reuters. Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Archbishop of Wales retires with immediate effect amid 'blurred sexual boundaries' reports into 'cathedral failings'
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his sudden retirement following a critical report into the culture at one of his cathedrals. In a statement issued this evening, the Most Reverend Andrew John said he would also be stepping down from his role as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. It follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral which found complaints about 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred'. There were also claims of excessive drinking and 'inappropriate language' being used in front of younger members of the choir. The full reports are yet to be published but summaries have been posted on the Church of Wales's website. There is no suggestion that the archbishop has behaved inappropriately. Announcing his retirement on Friday, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' While no mention of the report was made in his retirement announcement, Mr John has previously faced calls to resign. John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years, said according to the BBC: 'The leader of the Church in Wales is at the centre of all this. 'He is the Archbishop, he is the leader and it has happened at his Cathedral. 'It sullies the name of the Church in Wales across the country. [Archbishop of Wales] Andy John needs to come out and state plainly what has happened.' Meanwhile, Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said: 'We want openness and transparency in all our church settings and it's really, really important that the archbishop makes clear what has gone on.' Two priests from within Bangor Cathedral have also called an independent inquiry following the report into the church's culture. Mr John previously offered his 'most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down'. Mr John assumed the role of Bishop of Bangor in 2008. He was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021 and was the 14th person to hold the title.
