Downpatrick pro life group vigil against assisted dying

Downpatrick pro life group vigil against assisted dying

4 December 2024

MEMBERS of a Downpatrick pro life group have held a silent vigil to mark the second reading of a bill in Westminster to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

The bill, formally known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of 

Life) Bill was debated by MPs in the House of Commons last Friday and passed its first substantive stage, with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against.

Only one of Northern Ireland’s MPs, the SDLP’s Colum Eastwood, voted in favour of the bill. 

Angela Wilson, chair of Downpatrick Pro Life, believes the assisted dying legislation presents serious risks for vulnerable individuals and their families. 

She said: “There are real dangers that the proposed legislation will undermine our health services and lead vulnerable people, even with safeguards, to feel coerced and that they have no other choice but to agree to assisted dying.”  

She continued: “We believe that people facing end of life should have the best possible support and palliative care.

“Downpatrick Pro Life therefore call on all our political representatives to oppose this dangerous and immoral legislation and focus instead on improving health and care services for people who are terminally ill.”