Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has come under scrutiny after a decade-old interview resurfaced in which he described the Catholic Church as 'quite terrifying'. The Greater Manchester Mayor, who was sworn in as Labour MP for Makerfield earlier this week, has long supported assisted dying legislation despite the Church's firm opposition.
Burnham's Religious Upbringing and Drift from the Church
Burnham, who has described himself as 'not particularly religious', was raised Catholic but says the Church became 'more judgmental' under Pope Benedict. In the 2014 Huffington Post interview, he recalled the late pontiff's desire for a 'smaller, purer' church, calling it 'quite terrifying actually'. He noted that the Church 'clicked into a more judgmental mode and became much more obsessed with sexuality and issues related to sexual behaviour'.
Meeting Pope Francis and Shift on Assisted Dying
Burnham expressed 'high hopes' for Pope Francis, whom he met in 2023 to discuss climate change. Following Francis' death last year, Burnham said it 'hit me harder than expected'. In 2024, he told BBC Manchester he would 'probably vote in favour' of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, reversing his 2015 abstention due to 'family experience' that changed his view. 'I think we do allow people to suffer and families to suffer too much,' he said, adding that hospices must be 'properly funded' before any new law takes effect.
Church's Response and Upcoming Vote
Archbishop John Sherrington, lead bishop for life issues, expressed 'deep disappointment' at the Bill's return, stating it 'places the most vulnerable at risk'. The Bill, championed by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, returns to the Commons on September 11. Burnham's comments have reignited debate on assisted dying, with the Catholic Church maintaining its opposition.
