Priest ‘bans’ MP who voted for assisted dying from receiving Holy Communion

A priest has said he will refuse an MP communion because he voted in favour of assisted dying legislation.

Fr Ian Vane of St Joseph’s parish, Dorking, Surrey announced his decision regarding Chris Coghlan, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dorking and Horley, at several public Masses.

 On 16 June, Vane emailed Coghlan saying he would deny him communion should he become complicit in a “murderous act” by voting four days later for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Such a vote would be “a clear contravention of the Church’s teaching”, wrote Vane.

Neither Coghlan nor his family were present when Vane announced the ban. Coghlan said that “children who are friends of my children” had attended the liturgies.

He described Vane’s actions as “utterly disrespectful” to his “family, constituents, the congregation and the democratic process”. He added: “My private religion will continue to have zero direct relevance to my work as MP.” Coghlan’s children attend Catholic state schools.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Arundel and Brighton described the vote on Kim Leadbeater’s bill as “complex”, explaining, “while many in our society are deeply saddened by the result, we recognise the difficult task faced by MPs in seeking to represent their constituents.

 “The Catholic Church believes in the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person.

 “Prior to the vote, Bishop Richard Moth encouraged members of clergy and lay faithful to write to their MPs in a private capacity to express their concerns….and to ask them to vote against the proposed legislation.”

Bishop Moth spoke to Coghlan last week, offering to meet him “in person to discuss the issues and concerns raised”.

The Iranian-American writer and Catholic convert Sorab Ahmari described Vane on X as a “great priest” who had acted for the “well-being” of Coghlan’s soul.

Ahmari added: “Conscience must bear substantive content that correlates with an objective moral law. Otherwise, it’s what Newman called ‘counterfeit conscience.’”

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