Orthodox hierarchs representing Eastern Christian communities in Britain have spoken out against legislation that would introduce assisted dying for some terminally ill adults, urging Parliament instead to strengthen palliative care and protections for vulnerable people.

The joint appeal was issued ahead of the House of Commons’ consideration of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The House rejected the bill at second reading on 11 September, with 270 MPs voting in favour and 286 against, a majority of 16.

The statement was signed by representatives of several Orthodox jurisdictions in Britain, including Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Siluan of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, Bishop Nektarios of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Archbishop Athanasius of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The appeal was supported by hierarchs from nine Christian Churches, according to the statement.

“We must care, not kill,” the Christian leaders said, emphasizing their belief in the value of human life regardless of age, illness or expected life expectancy.

The bishops warned that changing the law could affect wider attitudes toward elderly and seriously ill people. They argued that the creation of a legal option to end one’s life could place additional pressure on people who are already vulnerable or who feel that they have become a burden on relatives or society.

“[The] right to die” could, they warned, become an “obligation to die.”

The appeal also called attention to the need for high-quality medical and palliative care. In their view, resources should be directed toward ensuring that people approaching the end of life have access to appropriate treatment, pain relief, emotional support and human companionship.

The debate comes as Parliament considers a new version of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards in June 2026. The bill would have allowed adults aged 18 or over in England and Wales who had mental capacity, were terminally ill and were expected to die within six months to request assistance to end their lives, subject to a series of safeguards.

Under the proposed framework, requests would have been assessed by two doctors, followed by consideration by an Assisted Dying Review Panel. The applicant would also have had to demonstrate a clear, settled and informed wish to end their life and that the decision had been made voluntarily, without coercion or pressure.

For the Orthodox hierarchs who opposed the measure, the central issue remains how society cares for people at the end of life. Their appeal urged greater attention to palliative services and to ensuring that seriously ill people do not face pain, fear or a sense of isolation without adequate support.

The debate over assisted dying remains contested in Britain, with arguments focusing on individual autonomy, protection of vulnerable people, medical safeguards and the provision of end-of-life care.