Legislation and Public Policy
The Common Good and the Catholic Church's Social Teaching
The Common Good, published in 1996, explains the Church's social teaching in general, and then goes on to apply it to present-day British society. Anyone who studies the document will quickly see that these ideas are not solely Catholic property. Their aim is to bring about a good and fair society, for the benefit of everyone. Most people feel that society ought to be organised in such a way as to improve the lot of all its members.
The engagement of the Catholic Church in public policy and public life is first and foremost the task of the lay members of the Church, active and engaged as citizens in all walks of life.
The role of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is to support and encourage that witness and service, and at the same time to provide a clear vision on issues of the day when fundamental moral questions are at stake.
The Church's approach to public policy is formed by Catholic social teaching.
At any one time, work is being undertaken on many fronts. The Church cannot comment on everything but is vocal on moral and social matters such as issues surrounding healthcare ethics, education, migrancy and matters of justice and the common good.
Equality Bill
The Equality Bill brings together existing discrimination law and extends it to new ‘protected characteristics’. It covers discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Click here for full Equality Bill section.
Coroners and Justice Bill
The Coroners and Justice Bill has nothing to do with euthanasia but pro-euthanasia activists are seeking to amend it to allow assisted suicide.
Click here for full Coroners and Justice Bill section.
Publication of the DPP Assisted Suicide Guidelines
Comment from the Archbishop of Cardiff
25 February 2010
“I welcome the revised Guidelines published by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) this morning. He was given a near impossible task by the Law Lords and many people were extremely concerned by the wording of the interim guidelines and some of the factors to be taken into account against prosecution.
“In issuing these Guidelines it is clear that the DPP has listened very carefully to, and taken account of, the many representations made to him during the consultation. Our particular concerns were that the interim Guidelines gave less protection under the law to disabled or seriously ill people, and to those who had a history of suicide attempts and were likely to try again. There also appeared to be a presumption that a spouse or close relative would always act simply out of compassion and never from selfish motives. These factors have been removed from the new Guidelines which now give greater protection to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. There is also a greater stress on the fact that the law has not changed, that all cases will be investigated and that no one is being given immunity from prosecution under these Guidelines.”
The Most Reverend Peter Smith, Archbishop of Cardiff
Chair of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Department of Responsibility and Citizenship
Link
Policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide
Ahead of the publication of the guidelines, a public consultation about when cases of ‘assisted suicide’ will be prosecuted took place.
The consultation closed on 16 December 2009. Below you will find the Bishops' submission.
Read/download
Bishops' submission to DPP assisting suicide consultation (pdf)
Bishops' submission to DPP assisting suicide consultation (MS Word)
Briefing note on the Bishops’ response to the DPP guidelines (MS Word)
Click for the original material we uploaded giving background to the consultation and in-depth information for those who were able to respond.
Comment on the Debbie Purdy judgment from Archbishop Smith
31 July 2009
Archbishop Peter Smith, Chair of the Bishops' Conference Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship and Archbishop of Cardiff, has commented on the Law Lords' decision requiring the Director of Public Prosecutions to publish an offence-specific policy statement clarifying the law on assisted suicide.
Care not Killing petition on assisted suicide
The Care not Killing Alliance (the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is a core member) is inviting supporters to sign a petition opposing the legalisation of assisted suicide. Sign up by visiting the petitions area of the number10.gov.uk website.
It declares: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to retain the law that makes it a criminal offence to assist another person to commit suicide".
Related links:
Care Not Killing website - euthanasia and assisted suicide section
European Commission’s proposal for an Equal Treatment Directive
31 July 2009
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, jointly with the Catholic Scottish Bishops’ Conference, has submitted a response to a UK consultation on the European Commission’s proposal for an Equal Treatment Directive.
The aim of the proposed European Commission Directive is to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation outside the areas of employment and vocational training. The UK Government Equalities Office launched the consultation exercise at the beginning of May; the consultation period closed on 28 July. The results of the consultation will help the UK Government formulate its position as one of 27 Member States negotiating the text, along with the European Commission (its author) and the European Parliament.
Read/download submission
Left click on the link below to open a copy of the Bishops’ submission to the consultation, right click to download.
Click for more information about the UK government’s consultation on the EU Directive.
2007/8 topics
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill
Catholic Adoption Agencies and the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007
The Mental Capacity Act and 'Living Wills' - A Practical Guide for Catholics
The Human Fertilization and Embryology (HFE) Act
The HFE Act is now law. Visit our HFE page for briefings, resources, links and more.
Click to visit our HFE page.
Video: HFE debate
Scientists, ethicists, heads of medical charities and religious leaders gathered at the Wellcome Collection in London to discuss the complex ethical issues behind the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act).
The discussion lasted two hours and can be viewed online:
Charity Commission consultation
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has submitted a response to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit and the Advancement of Religion. Read the Commission's consultation guidance here:
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/
What's the Church's Response?
Dementia care consultation
Transforming the quality of dementia care: Consultation on a national dementia strategy
The Department of Health is developing a national strategy for dementia services. This consultation draws on evidence from a wide range of reports and stakeholders, a series of listening events involving over 3,000 people and the recommendations of an External Reference Group. It invites everyone to give their views on the ideas set out in the document, as well as contribute new ideas to the debate.
Click for information from the Department of Health.
What's the Church's Response?
Equality, Religious Freedom and Social Cohesion (2002 – 2007)
A review of the work of the Bishops' Conference on Equality, Religious Freedom and Social Cohesion (2002 – 2007).
Work Review: Equality, Religious Freedom, Social Cohesion (2002-7)
Useful documents/publications
The Dispossessed: A Brief Guide to the Catholic Church's Concern for Refugees and Migrants (Migrancy)
A Place of Redemption (Penal Policy)
Catechism (the Catholic Church's teaching document)
Catholic Public Policy Digest
The Catholic Public Policy Digest was formerly a print publication sent out to those involved in public life. Editions from 2005-2007 can be found here.
Useful links
Catholic Aid for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Catholic Education Services (CES)
Department of International Affairs (work by subject)
Office for Refugee Policy
Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship (work by subject)
Caritas Social Action Network
Care not Killing Alliance