Tag: faith communities

Archbishop of York asks about role of faith in society and media

The Archbishop of York asked a question on the role of faith in society and public service media in response to a government statement on the Media Green Paper on 29th June 2026:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, none of us underestimates how hard it will be to preserve and protect the place of what we must now call public service media in this new world, but I would contend that it is impossible to understand our world at the moment if we do not understand the place of faith in the affairs of the world. It is impossible to understand our own nation’s culture, literature and law without understanding the place of faith; I do not think we can understand ourselves without it. But I notice that, in the Green Paper, there is little or perhaps no mention of the place of faith, which has always been such an important part of the public service broadcasting economy. I wonder whether the Minister would like to mention—I know how difficult it is—what steps are being taken to make sure this is preserved.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about protection of Christian communities in Israel and Palestine

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 19th June 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government: 

  • what assessment they have made of freedom of religion or belief in Israel and Palestine.
  • what assessment they have made of the report from the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue, Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem, published in 2025; and what discussions they have had with government of Israel about protecting Christian communities in Israel and East Jerusalem from harassment and violence.
  • what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding actions on 15 June on land and property in Silwan owned by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
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Bishop of Leicester emphasises importance of trust in communities during debate on threats to democratic institutions

The Bishop of Leicester spoke in a debate on threats to democratic institutions in the UK on 25th June 2026, stressing the importance of local communities and pluralism in combatting extremist rhetoric:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I too am hugely grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Wallace, for securing this debate, and it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Falkner. Our belief systems may differ, but we share much in common still.

I speak as chair of a new Church of England working group on promoting unity in our nation, a role that has made me think hard about the three threats before us today and what they mean for our common life, indeed for the Church and for other faith groups. I believe that the three threats that the noble Lord has highlighted—our susceptibility to disinformation, foreign interference and falling trust in our democratic institutions—share a primary underlying cause: the slow loss of the institutions in which people once learned to trust one another and act together.

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Bishop of Leicester urges government to tackle knife crime and misinformation following unrest over recent murder

On 3rd June 2026, the Bishop of Leicester asked a question on government commitments to tackling knife crime and expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in response to a government statement on the recent unrest following the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, my thoughts and prayers are also with the family and friends of Henry Nowak in their grief and suffering. Like many others, I echo the courageous words of Henry’s father in his powerful call that his son’s death should not,

“be used to create further division, hatred or tension”.

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Bishop of Manchester highlights role of faith communities in civil preparedness

The Bishop of Manchester spoke in a debate on civil preparedness on 20th April 2026, speaking on the role of faith groups and the importance of civil liberties:

My Lords, I share the gratitude already expressed to the noble Baroness, Lady Harris of Richmond, for securing this debate. In the short time available I will make just three brief observations, and I assure the Minister that none of them would lead to much expense.

First, on faith communities, I applaud that documents often refer to faith communities, but sometimes we appear to be wrapped up into a generic voluntary, community and faith sector. Faith groups are not just another example of voluntary or community activity; their reach goes much deeper into every corner of society. Their numbers far outweigh other bodies. They have different decision-making structures and are often networked in complex but effective ways, and many have significant links to the memberships of international bodies.

Our faith groups can and will have a major role to play in any situation that requires civil engagement and response, but that requires them to be seen as what they are, not lumped into a more convenient category. I am very grateful in my own diocese that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority fully recognises that distinctiveness. Having a very informed and supportive mayor means that we are recognised for who we are, and I believe that we make a major contribution already to civil society, as we could in terms of preparedness for a war situation.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about community resilience planning

The Bishop of Southwark asked a question on inclusion of religious groups in planning for Local Resilience Forums on 16th April 2026:  

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, guidance on emergency preparedness issued under the Civil Contingencies Act to the emergency responders who make up local resilience forums includes reference in chapter 14 to use of the voluntary sector. This is often assumed to be where the service provided is wholly or largely relevant to an emergency, such as that offered by Mountain Rescue, Samaritans or the Salvation Army. However, I notice that one local authority listed as an example of best practice includes the use of religious groups, presumably because of buildings and other services that they can provide. Might the Minister consider whether this warrants a discreet but distinct reference in a revision of the guidance?

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Bishop of Leicester asks about report on intra-community violence in Leicester

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 13th April 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the 2022 Leicester violence, Better Together: Understanding the 2022 Violence in Leicester, published on 23 February.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of faith in urban regeneration

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the role of churches in urban renewal during a discussion on regeneration of high streets and town centres on 18th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, although the 10-year Pride in Place funding is a welcome step towards longer-term investment, and there are other funds available for town centre regeneration, some towns in Nottinghamshire, such as Mansfield and Newark, continue to face increasing vacancy rates, declining footfall and concerns about safety in the town centres. What assessment have the Government made of the role of churches and other community groups using vacant shops to set up services that create social capital locally? Will the Minister reassure the House that faith communities and charities are enabled to apply for the various funds?

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Bishop of Norwich asks about involving faith communities in adult social care

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on faith group, community, and voluntary sector involvement during a discussion on the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care on 9th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, in 2023, the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care encouraged a conversation not only between provider and recipient but with all those involved in care and support, to create rounded and fulfilled lives. That includes the voluntary sector, community groups and faith groups, which provide befriending and bereavement support and acts of worship in care homes. What plans does the Casey commission have to ensure that all parties participate in the national conversation mandated in its terms of reference?

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about tackling child poverty

The Bishop of Lincoln tabled a question on facilitating consultation and collaboration with faith-based and voluntary sector organisations to deliver the Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty strategy on 3rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln: To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to facilitate consultation and collaboration with faith-based and voluntary sector organisations to deliver the Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty strategy, published on 5 December 2025.

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