foreign affairs – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about recent protests in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

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

whether they plan to take further action against the government of Iran, including sanctions and other measures, in response to human rights abuses against protestors by the security forces.
what steps they are taking to encourage the government of Iran to restore internet access and international communications to allow people to search for missing family members after recent protests.

Archbishop of York asks about humanitarian situation in Iran

On 5th February 2026, the Archbishop of York asked a question on support for Iranian families in the UK to contact their loved ones following a government statement on the recent protests and subsequent humanitarian situation in Iran:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, I have a very simple humanitarian question relating to what the Minister has just said. We do not know how many people have died, how many are injured or how many are missing, but we do know that the internet in Iran has been brought down. Simply, the restoration of the internet would allow family members to be in touch, to seek those who are missing and to know more of what is happening. What representations are the Government making on that issue, which would bring some solace to so many deeply hurting families in this appalling situation?

Bishop of Manchester asks about strengthening diplomatic ties with Greenland

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on strengthening diplomatic ties with Greenland on 19th January 2026, during a discussion on US trade tariffs and threats to Greenland’s sovereignty:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I agree with many noble Lords who have spoken about the importance of diplomacy in this, yet I feel that there is a danger that diplomacy takes place at a high level, over the heads of the Greenlanders themselves. It was only a few days ago in this Chamber that my right reverend friend the Lord Bishop of Chester, who unfortunately is not able to be with us just yet this afternoon, asked whether we could strengthen our diplomatic ties in Nuuk with the Greenlanders directly. That would give a lot of moral support and would mean that Britain’s Government would have a much better understanding of what the Greenlanders themselves are thinking, rather than what other people are telling them to think.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about potential increase in arrival of Iranian refugees in the UK

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on government preparation for a potential increase in Iranian refugees arriving in the UK on 15th January 2026, following a government statement on the violence against protestors in Iran:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, as I said earlier this week, Iranian Christians across our churches are deeply distressed at not being able to have contact with their loved ones in Iran. I suspect that, in the coming months, we are going to see more Iranians arriving on our beaches. What are His Majesty’s Government doing to prepare for this and to be forward-thinking in the stance that will be adopted regarding welcome and hospitality?

Bishop of Gloucester asks about support for Iranians in the UK

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on support for Iranians in the UK to contact family and friends in Iran on 12th January 2026, during a discussion on recent protests and human rights abuses of protesters in the country:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, following on from that question, we have a number of Iranians in our churches in the diocese of Gloucester who are desperately trying to make contact with loved ones. What update can the Minister give the House about the support being given to Iranians in this country who are endeavouring to contact family and friends in Iran?

Bishop of Chester asks about diplomatic engagement

The Bishop of Chester asked a question on diplomatic engagement with those who might form a future government in Venezuela and with the government of Greenland on 7th January 2026, during a discussion on the US’ recent actions regarding both countries:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I agree with the Minister on the importance of stable government for the future of Venezuela. Could she advise the House on whether we are investing in diplomatic relationships with all legitimate partners who might form any future Government, so that we can play our part in the future stability of that sovereign nation, and on whether the UK Government have any plans to follow Canada’s fine example, as reported in today’s i newspaper, of establishing full consular provision in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland?

Votes: Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

On 5th January 2026, the House of Lords debated the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Armenia

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, following the arrest of an archbishop in Armenia on 4 December, what assessment they have made of religious freedom in that country, and what discussions they have had with the government of Armenia about that issue.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about UK response to Israeli settlements

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:

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

what assessment they have made of the impact of the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem on Palestinian livelihoods and the prospects for a two-state solution.
what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem.
what plans they have to introduce asset freezes and travel bans on individuals and entities directly involved in planning or implementing the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem.

Bishop of Leeds asks about ongoing conflict in Ukraine

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on countering ongoing and future effects of the forcible removal of Ukrainian children from their homes and country by Russia on 24th November 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, will the Minister respond to two questions? First, on the real impact of sanctions, they do not seem to have diminished in any way Russia’s ability or intention to pursue this war of attrition and the cruelties that have already been mentioned, particularly in relation to children. Secondly, as someone who was a Soviet military specialist in a previous career, I can say that their aim is not to punish children but to wipe out a generation’s memory and retell a story. The effects of that, even if children are brought back at the end of this war, are going to go on for a generation. Have the Government given any consideration to how the rules-based international order can be effectively used to counter this and prepare for that longer term future?

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