Archbishop of Canterbury speaks out against assisted dying
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has spoken out against assisted dying, as the Commons prepares to consider a bill to allow it. The introduction of the Assisted Dying Bill today will be the first time for nine years that MPs will have considered the issue, but at this first reading, they will simply be made aware of the wording of the bill, with the debate and vote taking place on 29 November. The Archbishop told the BBC last night that the approach is dangerous and will lead to a slippery slope, a fear shared by opponents of the measure who point to what is said to have happened in Canada and the Netherlands, where assisted dying has been extended to more people over time. People advocating for the disabled and vulnerable have spoken out against, saying people at risk will feel under pressure to die early. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has also spoken out against the bill and CofE bishops have always voted against when it has been raised in the Lords frequently over the past few years. On the other side of the debate, some religious leaders in support of assisted dying have formed the Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying, arguing everyone should have as good a life as possible and as good a death as possible. MPs will have a free vote, under a promise from Keir Starmer. View our briefing, outlining the arguments for and against here.
MPs call for abolition of places for 26 CofE bishops in the Lords
MPs have called for the abolition of the historic right of 26 Church of England bishops to have a seat in the House of Lords. They intervened in a Commons debate on a bill to remove the 92 remaining hereditary peers from the Lords, as a first step in Lords reform. It was passed at second reading without amendment, but many MPs criticised it for not going far enough. Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson said: “There will be no disestablishment of the Church of England, but we need to lance the boil of the frankly ridiculous fact that we have clergy automatically sitting, as of right, in one of the Houses that make up this Parliament”. He said this does not reflect the nations, denominations or the makeup of this country. Sir Edward Leigh said: “I am all in favour of the established Church, and of letting it have perhaps 12 bishops, but why can we not share the other places between this country’s other Christian denominations and non-Christian faiths? Do they not deserve a voice?”. The Times subsequently reported that Conservative MPs will now seek to make common cause with Jeremy Corbyn to oust the bishops, tabling amendments at the next stage of the bill.
Church Commissioners reject 800 ‘unethical’ investors
The Church Commissioners, which manages an endowment fund of £10.4 billion in Church of England assets, rejected 844 companies on ethical grounds from potential investment last year. Of those, 38 failed to engage with them over connections to Russia. That is an increase from 435 last year. These included companies that failed to engage with them on issues related to climate change (248 companies), alcohol (124), gambling (116), defence (104), and tobacco (68). Last year, the commissioners announced that they would disinvest from fossil-fuel companies because none had, at that time, aligned itself with the goals of the Paris Agreement to reduce CO2 emissions and adapted to the effects of climate change. Every quarter, the commissioners screen their portfolio for breaches of international norms and human rights. “Where issues are identified, we aim to engage with the companies,” they say in their latest stewardship report. Church Times report here
Charities call for Labour to replace freedom of religion envoy
Christian charities have criticised Labour for not making religious freedom a priority in its policies. They are unhappy at the failure to replace Fiona Bruce, the special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, who lost her seat at the general election, and they urge foreign secretary David Lammy to treat the issue as a matter of urgency. Mervyn Thomas, president of the charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said it was “extremely disappointing” no appointment had been made and he was concerned the issue would “lose momentum”. Tablet report here
Petition to fund Humanists campaign against school ‘discrimination’
Humanists UK has launched a fund to support its campaign to oppose “discriminatory” faith schools and counter “the spread of religious bias, evangelism, and partisanship in education”. Among its aims, it wants to see a unified admissions system, an end to compulsory worship and a reform of RE, ensuring children learn about “world religions, plus humanism and non-religious approaches to life”. The petition calling for “a fair and equal education for everyone, free from discrimination” is here and has raised £10,048 towards its target of £40,000 to fund the campaign.
New bishop rebuked by Welby for ‘conduct unbecoming’
The new Bishop of Wolverhampton, who was being installed as bishop last night (Tuesday) has received a formal rebuke from the Archbishop of Canterbury for “doing an act in contravention of the laws ecclesiastical” and “conduct unbecoming to the office and work of clerk in holy orders”. In April, Dr Tim Wambunya, travelled to Berlin, where he participated in a service of ordination of the Rev Wamare Juma, who founded and leads the independent Revealed Evangelical Mission. This was a “non-canonical ordination” because it involved a minister in another denomination, and Dr Wambunya must take further training on the CofE’s ecclesiology. Church Times report here
Canada criticised for expulsion of diplomats over Sikh murder
Canada has expelled six Indian diplomats, including the Indian High Commissioner, saying they were persons of interest in connection with the assassination of a Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, last year. Police say they have gathered evidence which identified six individuals as persons of interest in the Nijjar case. They claim there is an intensifying campaign against Canadian citizens by agents of the Indian government and that India was asked to waive diplomatic and consular immunity and cooperate in the investigation, but refused. India rejected the allegations as preposterous and absurd and expelled six Canadian diplomats, while withdrawing several of its officials from Canada. The issue arises out of the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a supporter of Khalistan, a separate state for Sikhs in India. He was shot dead in a drive by shooting in June 2023. Four men are in custody awaiting trial in connection with the killing. Report here
‘Why have American Christians fallen for the Trump cult?’
The British preacher and author Adrian Warnock says the cult of Donald Trump is a false religion infiltrating the church. Trump, he writes, “seems to be choosing anger and fear, whilst Kamala Harris is encouraging voters to choose joy and a more normal politics”. He added: “As a British Christian I become ever more confused that so many of my American brothers and sisters seem to still embrace Trump”. He adds: “Trump has tapped into that religious area of the brain so much that most American Christians have confused Trumpism for their own faith. The church now worships at his feet.” His blog is here
‘Christian’ chicken diner expands to UK
A restaurant company with Christian values has announced its intention to expand into the UK, with five branches opening across the country. Chick-fil-A says it will create 400 jobs and use UK-sourced chicken in its new outlets in London, Liverpool, Leeds and Belfast. The company, which operates through franchises, plans to invest £76.5 million in the UK over the next two years. It encourages franchisees to donate leftover food to homeless people. Premier Christian News report here
