Tag: General Election

Time to ‘leave our echo chambers’ and listen to others, say Archbishops in General Election message

20 November 2019

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are urging voters to “honour the gift of truth” as they engage in political debate in the run-up to the General Election.

In a pastoral letter to the Church of England, Archbishops Justin Welby and Dr John Sentamu encourage people to play their part in the political process but – crucially – to “leave our echo chambers” to listen to those with different viewpoints.

The letter, which the archbishops hope will be shared in local churches during the campaign, calls on people to engage responsibly on social media and uphold the Christian values of truth, humility and love.

“As followers of Jesus Christ each of us is called to honour the gift of truth, both to speak it and to seek it,” they write.

Continue reading “Time to ‘leave our echo chambers’ and listen to others, say Archbishops in General Election message”

Bishop of Durham supports Early General Election Bill, hopes for respectful campaign

19.01.07 durham bOn the 30th October the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) moved the Second Reading of the Early Parliamentary General Election Bill. The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, contributed to the debate: 

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, it is an honour to follow the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge, but it is always slightly daunting as well. I believe that the House should expedite this business as simply and as quickly as it can. While I have much sympathy with giving the vote to 16 and 17 year-olds, that should be done with full due consideration and process at another time. Perhaps such a Bill could be introduced by the next Government. I also have sympathy with giving EU nationals the vote, but since that would be an example of the UK offering fuller and better rights than any current EU nation, it too would require proper scrutiny. Rushing it now would be inappropriate.

Continue reading “Bishop of Durham supports Early General Election Bill, hopes for respectful campaign”

General Election 2017: Archbishops issue election letter

On Saturday 6th May 2017 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York published a pastoral letter to the parishes and chaplaincies of the Church of England, about the General Election of 8th June.

The Archbishops urged people to set aside “apathy and cynicism” and to draw new inspiration from the ancient Christian virtues of “love, trust and hope”.

The three-page letter, intended to be shared in churches from 7th May onwards, encouraged voters to remember Britain’s Christian history and heritage as well as a concern for future generations and God’s creation as they make their decisions.

Following divisions of recent years, it called for reconciliation drawing on shared British values based on cohesion, courage and stability.

It upheld marriage, family and households as the building blocks of society which should be “nurtured and supported” as a “blessing”.

At a time when political differences may be felt more intensely than ever, the Archbishops insisted that Christians’ “first obligation” during the election and beyond is to pray for those standing for office and recognise the personal costs and burdens carried by those in political life and by their families.

But Christians also have a duty to play an active part in the process, they added. Continue reading “General Election 2017: Archbishops issue election letter”

Bishops and General Election statements – past and present

The 2015 General Election was the first time that the Church of England’s House of Bishops published a document. But past recent General Elections saw statements issued by Archbishops. Summaries of those from 2001, 2005 and 2010 are below. Continue reading “Bishops and General Election statements – past and present”

Summary: Who Is My Neighbour? House of Bishops’ Letter for the General Election

On 17th February 2015 the House of Bishops published ‘Who Is My Neighbour? – A Letter from the House of Bishops to the People and Parishes of the Church
of England for the General Election 2015′.

Who is my neighbour

Continue reading “Summary: Who Is My Neighbour? House of Bishops’ Letter for the General Election”