Overview

• Father Ian Vane cited Canon 915 to refuse Holy Communion to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan after he supported Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill on June 20.
• Coghlan condemned the public refusals at successive Masses and formally complained to Bishop Richard Moth on June 29 over what he called inappropriate interference.
• The assisted dying legislation cleared the Commons by 314–291 and will now undergo scrutiny in the House of Lords.
• Catholic teaching in the Catechism labels intentional euthanasia as “gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person” and bars Communion for those persisting in such sin.
• The row has reignited debate over the separation of personal faith from public duty and the role of religious leaders in political decision-making.