In the lead up to the Second Reading, from Thursday 14 October, Catholics are encouraged to pray the novena with daily intentions to uphold the infinite worth of each human person through proper investment in palliative care.
Bishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues, said: "Jesus told his disciples to pray at all times and not lose heart. Providentially the discussion of Baroness Meacher's Bill in the House of Lords falls on the feast of Saint John Paul II on 22 October.
"The novena, asking the intercession of Pope Saint John Paul II, who spoke courageously about the infinite worth of each human person and witnessed to the cross in his final illness, calls upon Catholics and all who share our view that assisted suicide is wrong, to pray with perseverance that this Bill will be defeated.
"Saint John Paul II, pray for us!"
Download a PDF of the novena to your phone or device here:
www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/Novena-Pope-St-JPII-Assisted-Suicide-2021.pdf