US EditionPriest denies MP holy communion over his support for assisted dying bill
- Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan was publicly refused Holy Communion by Father Ian Vane, the parish priest of a Catholic church in Dorking, following his vote in favor of the assisted dying bill on June 20, 2024.
- Father Vane warned Coghlan before the vote that supporting the bill would make him an obstinate public sinner, violating canon law and Church teaching on the sanctity of life.
- Coghlan criticized being openly singled out during Mass, calling the experience deeply distressing and disrespectful to his family, constituents, and the democratic process, while the Diocese acknowledged the complexity surrounding the vote.
- The assisted dying bill passed the House of Commons by 314 votes to 291 and now awaits the unelected House of Lords amid Catholic leaders' warnings it may force care homes to close.
- Bishop Richard Moth proposed a personal meeting with Coghlan to address the concerns he raised and encouraged clergy members to privately contact MPs to voice opposition to the bill, highlighting the conflict between Church teachings and parliamentary responsibilities.
18 Articles
18 Articles
How a UK bill led to a Communion showdown
An English bishop has offered to meet with a politician who says his pastor barred him publicly from receiving Holy Communion after he voted for an assisted suicide bill.Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton, England. © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.Subscribe nowBishop Richard Moth offered to meet in person with Chris Coghlan, who represents the constituency of Dorking and Horley in the lower house of the U.K. Parliament, according to a June 2…
UK politician angered over priest allegedly announcing he will deny MP the Eucharist over pro-assisted suicide vote
Catholic United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) Chris Coghlan this weekend expressed outrage after his local priest reportedly announced to the parish that he would not… The post UK politician angered over priest allegedly announcing he will deny MP the Eucharist over pro-assisted suicide vote appeared first on CatholicVote org.
British politician criticizes priest for refusing communion over assisted dying vote
The British Parliament building in London. / Credit: Marinesea/Shutterstock CNA Newsroom, Jun 29, 2025 / 19:05 pm (CNA). A British politician has publicly criticized his parish priest for refusing to give him Holy Communion after he voted in fa... [...]
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