On Thursday 29th November 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions in the House of Commons on the Northern Forest Initiative, persecuted Christians overseas, Christ Church college Oxford, and the Church of England’s Christmas campaign. A full transcript is below: Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: Forestry, Persecuted Christians, Christ Church college Oxford, Christmas campaign”
Tag: persecuted Christians
Bishop of St Albans asks if Government will pressure Pakistan on blasphemy laws after Asia Bibi case
On 20th November 2018 Lord Alton asked the Government ‘what response they have made to requests to assist in the (1) safe passage and resettlement of, and (2) granting of asylum to Asia Bibi and her family.’ The Bishop of St Albans asked a follow up question:
Bishop of Coventry asks why few Christians, Yazidis and Syrian religious minorities have been resettled in UK
On 23rd July 2018, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question on refugee resettlement:
The Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of why the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has referred so few Christians, Yazidis and other Syrian religious minorities for resettlement in the UK; whether any members of those minorities were resettled in the UK in the first quarter of 2018; and if not, why not. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks why few Christians, Yazidis and Syrian religious minorities have been resettled in UK”
Bishop of Southwark says persecuted Christians in Middle East a humanitarian priority
On 19th July 2018 Baroness Berridge asked the Government “what plans, if any, they have to appoint an Ambassador on Freedom of Religion or Belief.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I too extend my congratulations and those of the Lords spiritual to the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, on this appointment. Does he agree that in several countries of the Middle East, where the Christian faith has existed since the time of the apostles—Iraq, Syria and Egypt among them—the scale of persecution renders the condition of the remaining Christian communities one of great humanitarian priority? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark says persecuted Christians in Middle East a humanitarian priority”
Archbishop raises attacks on Christians in Nigeria, asks Government to intervene
On 17th July 2018 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of recent developments in Nigeria, including violence by the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Welby, asked a follow up question:
The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I am sure that the Minister shares my deep concern about the violent attacks on Christians. For instance, the compound of my colleague the Archbishop of Jos was attacked a couple of weeks back, and one of his friends was killed. The Minister has rightly said how complex the situation is, but can she answer more specifically on what assistance the UK Government can give in the short term to strengthen the Government of Nigeria in their role of enforcing security and local mediation; in the medium term, to ensure reconciliation, which will enable the lives and economies of farmers and herders to be protected; and, in the long term, actively and tangibly to support regional efforts to combat the effects of climate change—the development of desertification, which is exacerbating ancient rivalries? Continue reading “Archbishop raises attacks on Christians in Nigeria, asks Government to intervene”
Bishop of Coventry on importance of education and public information to help quell violence in Nigeria
On 28th June 2018 Lord Alton of Liverpool led a debate in the House of Lords, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the continuing violence between communities and armed groups in Nigeria”. The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, spoke in the debate:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, I join with others in thanking the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for securing a debate on the serious situation that threatens the very stability of Nigeria. With the noble Lord I deplore the violence and, with other noble Lords and indeed the victims themselves, some of whom have been in contact with many of us this week, I call on Her Majesty’s Government to use their influence on the Nigerian Government to ensure the security of their people and to bring the violence to an end. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry on importance of education and public information to help quell violence in Nigeria”
Bishop of St Albans asks Government about attacks on Christians in north of Myanmar
On 20th June 2018 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question about attacks by the Myanmar military on the Christian Kachin people:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Myanmar following reports of attacks by the Myanmar military on the Christian Kachin people in the north of Myanmar. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about attacks on Christians in north of Myanmar”
Church Commissioner Questions: modern slavery, Middle East peace, Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, gay conversion therapy.
On 7th June 2018 Dame Caroline Spelman MP, representing the Church Commissioners, answered questions in the House of Commons from MPs on modern slavery, Middle East peace, Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, and gay conversion therapy. A transcript is below:
The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked— Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions: modern slavery, Middle East peace, Church of Scotland relations, LGBTQ community, bell ringing, Nigerian Christians, religious literacy, overseas orphanages, affordable housing, gay conversion therapy.”
Bishop of Winchester asks about religious persecution as category for refugee status
On 20th March 2018 Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the changing situation in Syria.” The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow up question:
The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, will the Minister give an assurance that in the provision of humanitarian aid to those displaced in this conflict the Department for International Development’s understanding of vulnerability includes religious persecution? Will he also give an assurance that the Government will continue to ensure that the UNHCR’s procedures and criteria for determining refugee status recognise religious persecution as a distinct category? Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks about religious persecution as category for refugee status”
Bishop of Winchester raises attacks on Christians in Sudan
On the 22nd February 2018 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the situation in Sudan, with particular reference to violations of human rights and access to those in need of humanitarian aid”. The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow-up question about the arrest of Christian leaders and the demolition of churches and schools.
The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, since 2011 there have been reports that the Government in Sudan have arrested Christian leaders, demolished churches and prevented church properties from being registered. My Anglican colleagues from the Sudan advised me that church schools are able to open only four days a week, because the Government require that schools are closed on Fridays and Saturdays—of course, Sunday is a holy day for Christians. How much more can the Government ensure that the rights of religious minorities are respected in Sudan?
Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester raises attacks on Christians in Sudan”
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