Westminster Hall Debate: Impact of Churches and Religious Buildings on Communities

In Westminster Hall, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, hosted a joint debate with John Glen MP on the impact of churches and religious buildings in communities on 13th May 2025:

Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): I beg to move,

That this House has considered the impact of churches and religious buildings on communities.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. I am pleased to have secured this important and timely debate with the right hon. Member for Salisbury (John Glen). Today, I speak with two hats on, as the MP for Battersea and as the Second Church Estates Commissioner.

It is undeniable that churches and religious buildings have a positive impact on our communities in constituencies across the country, and I intend to show examples of this throughout my speech. Churches such as St Mary’s in Battersea do valuable work in their communities every day, and their contributions are often delivered at no cost to the state but with such a great return for the communities in which they serve. That is part of their vocation to serve—their desire to reflect the values of Jesus Christ through their faith, love, hospitality and service to their neighbours. I hope that this debate will allow us to recognise the incredible work of our local churches and other religious organisations.

Continue reading “Westminster Hall Debate: Impact of Churches and Religious Buildings on Communities”

Bishop of Norwich asks about war graves in Gaza

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 13th May 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of damage caused by the conflict in Gaza to (1) the Gaza War Cemetery and, (2) the Deir El Balah War Cemetery.

Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about war graves in Gaza”

Votes: Data (Use and Access) Bill

On 12th May 2025, the House of Lords debated the Data (Use and Access) Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

Continue reading “Votes: Data (Use and Access) Bill”

Bishop of Sheffield asks about conditions at Doncaster Royal Infirmary

The Bishop of Sheffield tabled a question on the impact of the conditions at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on patient care on 12th May 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the conditions at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on patient care.

Continue reading “Bishop of Sheffield asks about conditions at Doncaster Royal Infirmary”

Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham takes part in VE and VJ day debate

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham spoke in a debate marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan on 9th May 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, it is a privilege to speak in this debate. I congratulate my right reverend friend the Bishop of Peterborough on her excellent maiden speech, and I look forward to her insightful and wide-ranging contribution to the work of this House in the coming days, particularly drawing on her experience in education and with young people. I also thank the Minister for his very moving and impassioned speech opening this debate.

We commemorate a time of extraordinary sacrifice and service in the story of our nation, as well as our allied partners, notably in the Commonwealth. Victory, we know, was hard won. I pay particular tribute to the vital work of the Armed Forces chaplains, who served with great distinction throughout the war. We can be thankful that they remain an essential and fully integrated part of our military capability, not only because of their vital role in times of conflict but for the well-being of all service personnel during training, on exercise and on deployment in strategic peacetime operations.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham takes part in VE and VJ day debate”

Bishop of Peterborough makes maiden speech in VE day debate

On 9th May 2025, the Bishop of Peterborough made her maiden speech in the House of Lords during a debate marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan:

The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, it is a privilege to be making my maiden speech today. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for opening this debate and for the encouragement for us to mark and reflect such an important anniversary. It is an honour to follow such moving speeches.

Before saying any more, I take the opportunity to thank the many Members and staff of your Lordships’ House who have made me feel so welcome. I have been struck by the care that has been shown to help me to find my feet, and I am most grateful for the time taken to do so. I have been Bishop of Peterborough for just over a year, following four years as Bishop of Southampton, and I hope to bring experience from both dioceses as I take my place among your Lordships.

As we have heard, the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe and victory over Japan has been marked in our communities in a number of different ways. Across Peterborough diocese, there have been street parties in Northamptonshire; bunting in the beautiful villages of Rutland; and bells of churches ringing out, including from Peterborough Cathedral, which has always been a place of gathering at times of national significance and last night played its part again, drawing people together and helping them to remember.

Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough makes maiden speech in VE day debate”

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Attendance

On 9th May 2025, Marsha De Cordova MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Neil O’Brien MP (Con, Harborough, Oadby, and Wigston): To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what the weekly attendance was for (a) children, (b) adults and (c) all ages for (i) weekly, (ii) Sunday and (iii) school services in each year since 2003.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Attendance”

Bishop of St Albans asks about gambling in the armed forces

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 9th May 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have a tri-service policy that sets out the process to be followed in the event that a serving soldier develops a gambling addiction.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about gambling in the armed forces”

Bishop of Leicester asks about access to mental health services for minority-ethnic communities

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on steps to address inequality in communities on 8th May 2025, particularly for those whose first language is not English, during a discussion on mental health care:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, in my own city of Leicester, some excellent work is being done with minority-ethnic communities in particular to help with access to mental health services. Nevertheless, significant inequalities remain. What more is being done to address those inequalities, particularly as they relate to people whose first language is not English?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about access to mental health services for minority-ethnic communities”

Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill: Bishop of Gloucester calls for long term view on crime and sentencing

On 7th May 2025, the Bishop of Gloucester spoke at the second reading of the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill, advocating for a long term approach to sentencing that takes into account families and communities:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I declare my interest as Anglican Bishop for prisons. I am grateful to be speaking in this Second Reading debate. I too greatly look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Nichols. Having said that, I do not believe this is a debate we should be having at all. I do not believe this rather theatrical legislation is necessary.

In a world of sufficient resources, as has already been said, there would be comprehensive pre-sentence reports for everyone, to which careful attention would be paid in court. If we have to prioritise PSRs, then it makes sense to prioritise those we know are especially vulnerable, or where there is evidence of disproportionate outcomes from the justice system. Will the Minister comment on why he thinks there was such shock at this apparent two-tier justice with regard to ethnicity but not the other cohorts in the guidance, such as young adults and pregnant women? Do the Government believe the issues raised in the landmark report by the current Foreign Secretary almost eight years ago are now a thing of the past? Is there no role for judges in mitigating the issues raised in that report?

Continue reading “Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill: Bishop of Gloucester calls for long term view on crime and sentencing”