Archbishop Mark O‘Toole’s Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide – April 5/6 2025

Webmaster • April 6, 2025

As the UK Parliament considers a crucial and controversial piece of legislation – the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – Archbishop Mark has issued a pastoral letter urging Catholics, and all people of goodwill, to speak up.


The bill seeks to legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, a move the Catholic Church opposes both on moral and practical grounds. In his letter, Archbishop Mark reminds us that “every human life is sacred, coming as a gift of God and bearing God-given dignity.” This foundational belief underpins the Church’s principled objection to assisted suicide, and he warns that the bill “elevates… the autonomy of the individual above every other consideration.”


But the Archbishop’s message is not just one of moral principle. He expresses deep concern about the way in which the bill has been handled in Parliament. He points out that this complex and far-reaching piece of legislation has not been subject to the usual thorough scrutiny: “It is a private member’s bill… published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it.” Furthermore, the committee that examined the bill heard evidence for only three days, and not all voices were included in the discussion.

Archbishop Mark also highlights the potential consequences of this legislation, questioning whether adequate safeguards exist to protect the vulnerable, and whether the National Health Service is prepared for such a shift in medical practice. He asks pointedly: “What will protect the vulnerable from coercion or from feeling a burden on their families?… Would this mean, in effect, the establishment of a national death service?”


Instead of pursuing assisted suicide, the Archbishop calls for a renewed commitment to palliative care: “What is needed is first-class compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives… a good society would prioritise the care for the elderly, the vulnerable and the weak.”

The letter ends with a heartfelt plea to the faithful: even if you’ve written to your MP before, now is the time to do so again. “This is a deeply flawed bill with untold unintended consequences,” he warns. “Every MP and government has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book.”


Drawing inspiration from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the Archbishop concludes with encouragement: “We, too, have many struggles… So we too, press on with this struggle too, so important in our times.”



Now is the time to speak out – in defence of life, in solidarity with the vulnerable, and in faithfulness to the Gospel.


Most Rev Mark O’Toole



Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia


By Webmaster June 20, 2025
The Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Team invites all parishioners in the Archdiocese to a Saturday with praise and worship, Mass and small group sharing at Jubilee shrines across the Archdiocese. Each day runs from 10 am to 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch. The dates and venues are as follows: • Saturday June 28th – Belmont Abbey, Hereford HR2 9RZ • Saturday July 5th – St. Non’s Retreat, near Haverfordwest SA62 6BN
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
The Knit and Natter group have recently produced 13 Angel blankets which will be donated to the local Neonatal Unit. These handmade blankets have been especially made to honour and cradle the tiniest of lives, those born too soon or have passed away before or shortly after birth. These blankets provide safety, warmth, dignity and comfort during a profoundly tender moment - This is an ongoing Reaching Out Project
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
Please note that Mass on Saturday 28th June will be at the earlier time of 9am to enable Canon, as Dean, to attend the Deanery Children’s Liturgy Training Session
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
On Tuesday, we celebrate the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Tuesday’s feast honours St. John as the forerunner of Christ. John’s birth, announced by the angel and greeted with acclaim and promise, parallels that of Jesus. An angelic annunciation prepares the way, as the Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah to tell him that his wife Elizabeth is with child. The doubting father finds himself unable to speak, until the scene described in today’s Gospel. There, Zechariah confirms in writing that the new-born child will be called John. Zechariah’s tongue is loosed and he begins to praise God, causing fear and marvelling among all who hear the story. On this feast, six months before the birth of Jesus, we prepare ourselves to welcome the Lord anew in our life, as Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed their son John.
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Corpus Christi. This beautiful Solemnity gives the whole Church on earth the opportunity to praise God for the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
The Parish Rosary Prayer Group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 2.00pm in Ty Mair, 19 Heol y Waun CF14 1LB at the junction of Heol Gabriel and College Road. The group members have intercessory prayer, read and discuss the following Sunday's Gospel, pray the Rosary, pray the 3 o'clock prayer and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and have a cuppa! The next meeting takes place on Thursday, June 26th . All are welcome to attend.
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
We will have coffee and tea in the St. Pope John Paul II Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes after the 10.00am Mass on Wednesday 25th June . If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
Each Tuesday evening, the parish has an hour of silent Adoration at St. Teilo’s from 7pm to 8pm. The primary intention for the period of Adoration is vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Feel free to come for all or part of the hour to pray for the Church in its need for faithful ministers to continue the Mission of Jesus.
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
The Pilgrimage of Hope is a national walking pilgrimage for England and Wales with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St. Barnabas, Nottingham, on Saturday, September 13th, the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is an initiative of the Hearts in Search of God project. The Ways start at the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross. The routes use established hiking routes and are off road as much as possible. A small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, with up to 20 day pilgrims joining for day stages. It is now possible for pilgrims to register for day stages. For details see this link: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/become-a-pilgrim-for-a-day
By Webmaster June 20, 2025
St. David’s (Cardiff) Deanery is running a training session devoted to children’s liturgy on Saturday, June 28th from 10am to 12noon at St. Philip Evans Church Hall. It offers those already involved in running groups an opportunity to share experiences and resources as well as providing valuable help and support for anyone thinking of setting up a new group.  Further details can be found on the Archdiocese’s website https://rcadc.org/childrens-liturgyworking-together-to-make-it-a-success/
More Posts