A Catholic bishop in England is warning that the legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia “undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life.”

Britain’s Parliament will this week consider a Private Member’s Bill called the “Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill” – which seeks to legalise assisted suicide for those terminally ill with six months to live.

Bishop John Sherrington, however, is encouraging Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action in opposition to it.

“I wish to reaffirm that the Catholic Church has always been opposed to assisted suicide in every circumstance. The legalization of assisted suicide undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life. There is also now ample evidence across the world that the legalisation of assisted suicide puts the most vulnerable members of society at risk,” he said.