Two amendments proposed by members of the House of Lords are due to be debated and may be voted on today or Wednesday.
Legalising Assisted Suicide
Lord Alderdice has tabled an amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill in relation to assisted suicide. It seeks to remove the possibility of prosecution for those who help a person to die where that person has an incurable and disabling illness and a coroner has certified that the person has a free and settled wish to die. This is wrong in principle and open to massive abuse.
Please pray that many members of the House of Lords will have the courage to speak out against this amendment and if put to a vote, to vote against it so that the most vulnerable in our society will continue to be protected.
Blasphemy
Lord Lester has tabled a clause inclusion in the Coroners and Justice Bill to abolish blasphemy in Northern Ireland. It would be completely unacceptable for the House of Lords to make a decision which would affect the religious culture of Northern Ireland without proper discussion and without involving Northern Ireland's elected representatives.
Please pray that the Northern Ireland representatives would have the opportunity to voice their concerns to the Government and that the clause would be defeated.