MP Refused Communion Over Assisted Dying Vote

Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan says his local priest, Father Ian Vane of St Joseph's Church in Dorking, is refusing him Holy Communion after Coghlan supported the UK's assisted dying bill in Parliament. Father Vane had warned that voting for the bill constituted 'obstinately persevering in sin' and would render Coghlan ineligible for Communion, reflecting Catholic doctrine's opposition to euthanasia. The priest publicly announced his decision from the pulpit, which Coghlan criticized as an inappropriate and coercive effort to influence his political decision-making. Coghlan, a Catholic himself, argued that such actions undermine the legitimacy of religious institutions in democratic society and expressed concern about pressure on religious MPs. The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton acknowledged the Church's position and offered to meet with Coghlan to discuss the situation. The incident has sparked debate about religious authority's role in UK political life.