Author: parliamentaryunit

Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Bishop of London appointment

On the 29 November 2016 Dame Caroline Spelman the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question from Sir Peter Bottomley MP regarding the appointment of the next Bishop of London.

Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church Commissioners will make it their policy that the next nominee for the Bishop of London will ordain both women and men as priests. Continue reading “Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: Bishop of London appointment”

Church Commissioners written answer: Bishop of London

On 28th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Sir Peter Bottomley MP about the Bishop of London:

Caroline SpelmanSir Peter Bottomley: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether a Bishop of London has ordained a woman as a priest.

Dame Caroline Spelman: It has long been the practice of the Diocese of London for the Bishop to ordain all deacons, male and female, with Area Bishops ordaining priests in their local community.

(via Parliament.uk)

Church of England Week in Westminster, 21st-25th November 2016

Westminster-abbeyWelcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week bishops in the House of Lords led a debate about rural bus services, responded to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and spoke in a debate on adult social care. Bishops also asked questions about conflict in Nigeria and SRE. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions from MPs on the persecution of Christians overseas, the Red Wednesday campaign, church buildings, anti-Semitism and the Church’s Christmas campaign. She also answered written questions about anti-Semitism and church owned land in Peterborough. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 21st-25th November 2016”

Bishop of Ely calls on Government to “make care work a recognised and valued profession.”

On 24th November 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from Baroness Finlay of Llandaff “To move that this House takes note of the implications for the health and social care workforce of the result of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union.” The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, spoke in the debate:

ElyThe Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, for bringing this important matter before the House today. The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Carlisle, our lead bishop on health and social care, cannot be in his place today, but I am glad to contribute from these Benches on his behalf.

The debate brings to mind two principles central to Christian faith and practice: justice for the stranger in our midst and care for the vulnerable. Mosaic law enjoins us not to withhold justice from the outsider. Only yesterday, in conversation, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government sought to check that I had heard the words of Jesus, “Love thy neighbour as thyself”. I am grateful to him. This reminds us that the words of Jesus tell us that every care and service given to others is a service given to God. Continue reading “Bishop of Ely calls on Government to “make care work a recognised and valued profession.””

Bishop of St Albans leads debate on impact for rural communities of reduced bus services

On 24th November 2016 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, led a short debate in the House of Lords on rural bus services. His opening speech is below, along with the Minister’s response. The speeches of the other eight Peers who took part can be read here.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of research published by the Local Government Association showing that subsidised bus services in England have reduced by more than 12% in the past year, what assessment they have made of the sustainability of rural communities.

St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I thank all noble Lords contributing their considerable expertise to this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhope, whose wealth of experience is a welcome addition to this House. I declare an interest as president of the Rural Coalition and bishop of a diocese with large rural areas, some of which have seen considerable cuts in bus service provision in recent years.

As many noble Lords in this House will know first-hand, rural bus services provide a lifeline for rural communities, creating vital routes of connection to other parts of the country. For anyone who struggles to drive themselves because of age or a disability, or because they do not have a car, buses are often the only means of transport that connects rural residents with work, friends and family. With an increasing number of local services cut from rural towns and larger villages, the need to be able to connect with urban areas only increases. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans leads debate on impact for rural communities of reduced bus services”

Bishop of Winchester asks Government about importance of friendship and self-image within teaching of sex and relationship education

winchester171116On 24th November 2016 Baroness Donaghy asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether they plan to make sex and relationship education part of the national curriculum.” The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is important for such education to be about not just sex and sexuality but sex and relationships? Should such education therefore include wholesome friendships and relationships between the sexes, the importance—as already discussed—of guarding against abuse, and the vital need for young people to have a healthy self-identity? On the last point, I commend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester on her work with children on body image. What steps will the Government take to incorporate such broader issues and concerns into any sex and relationships curriculum? Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks Government about importance of friendship and self-image within teaching of sex and relationship education”

Church Commissioner Questions – Christian persecution, church buildings, anti-Semitism, Christmas campaign

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions from MPs on the persecution of Christians overseas, the Red Wednesday campaign, church buildings, anti-Semitism and the Church’s Christmas campaign: 

Caroline SpelmanChurch Commissioners. The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

Persecution of Christians

Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con):

What recent representations the Church of England has received on the persecution of Christians overseas. [907442]

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Dame Caroline Spelman): The Church of England remains concerned about a number of religious minorities across the world, not just Christian ones. Recently, the Lord Bishop of Coventry travelled to northern Iraq to visit the Christians in Mosul because it is clear that questions remain about their continued safety and the need to make their homes and businesses safe if they are to sustain themselves there. Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions – Christian persecution, church buildings, anti-Semitism, Christmas campaign”

Church Commissioners written answer: anti-Semitism

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Karl McCartney MP on the action the church is taking to combat anti-Semitism: Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer: anti-Semitism”

Church Commissioners written answer – Church land in Peterborough

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Stewart Jackson MP about church land in Peterborough: Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer – Church land in Peterborough”

2016 Autumn Statement – Response from Bishop of Birmingham

david-urquhartResponding today (23rd November 2016) to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the Bishop of Birmingham, Rt. Revd David Urquhart, said:

The political turbulence of the past year and lower growth forecasts have meant the Chancellor has been given limited economic room for manoeuvre. But I welcome the emphasis in the Autumn Statement on long term stability, investment in innovation, in our national infrastructure and on supporting regional growth. To be a nation living within its means is an aspiration worth keeping, even if the revised figures for deficit reduction mean that the goal of its achievement has been moved slightly further away. Continue reading “2016 Autumn Statement – Response from Bishop of Birmingham”