REACTION TO THE KING’S SPEECH
Child Poverty taskforce but dismay at no ban on two child benefit cap
The King’s speech promised a child poverty strategy taskforce but did not promise an end to the two child benefit cap, to the dismay of MPs and all seven charities assembled for the first meeting of the taskforce. This had met hours before the King’s Speech, led by the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, and Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson. All charities attending, including Save the Children, Action for Children and End Child Poverty, have called for the abolition of the two child benefit limit, which they say would immediately lift 300,000 children out of poverty. Many religious leaders have appealed for the ban to be lifted, including the Muslim Council of Britain, CofE bishops in the Lords, free churches in the Joint Public Issues Team and Christian anti poverty charities.
National Holocaust Memorial bill returns
The King’s speech included a commitment to build a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre “in the heart of our democracy” in the controversial Victoria Tower Gardens site next to the Houses of Parliament. This is the latest stage in a project which began in 2015 but ran into protests because of the design with tall fin like structures, and location. Planning permission was refused in legal action that went all the way to the High Court. The bill will update legislation removing obstacles that have prevented it being approved.
Draft bill to ban conversion therapy meets immediate resistance
A draft bill to ban conversion therapy will be tabled by the government in this session of parliament. It is designed to prevent action that seeks to change, cure or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity, which opponents say would criminalise parents or religious leaders who pray with someone conflicted over their sexuality. The Christian Institute has warned that a broad ban would “threaten gospel freedom and would inadvertently criminalise the ordinary work of churches”. But they welcome the draft bill as it will give an opportunity to reveal the difficulty of legislating.
Muslim Council of Britain urges recognition of Palestinian State
The Muslim Council of Britain says the King’s speech content on peace and security in the Middle East does not go far enough. The King said that the government “is committed to a two state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state”. The MCB says it hoped the government would go further to ensure the recognition of a Palestinian state, adding: “It is disappointing there was no mention of an immediate ceasefire nor a ban on arms sale to Israel”. In other reaction, it said it was regrettable there had not been “a greater focus on tackling growing hate crime, particularly rising Islamophobia”.
Bill to appoint more female bishops in the Lords
The government has committed to an extension of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill, which enables female bishops to fill vacancies among the Lords spiritual, in advance of male bishops who might otherwise be chosen. There are 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops known as the ‘Lords spiritual’. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the bishops of London, Durham and Winchester are there automatically. The 21 other diocesan bishops used to be filled according to their length of service. But in 2015, changes meant female bishops could be appointed in their place. At present, six of the 26 Lords Spiritual are women.
OTHER NEWS
Messianic undertones in Trump’s campaign
Donald Trump’s narrow brush with death has supercharged his evangelical supporter base who regard his escape as an act of God. A Reuters reporter at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, found Messianic undertones among the delegates: “Many said that divine intervention was God’s way of showing American voters that Trump..is the right man to occupy the White House after the election”. They said: “it was God-given protection”, “It was miraculous. It was sent by heaven and I pray that protection continues.” There are a number of viral posts on Twitter / X , including one where an ethereal Jesus is laying his hands on Trump’s shoulders. The Telegraph carries a report trying to explain the attraction of Trump to socially conservative, rule bound white evangelicals, and concludes he has retained them because “he delivered for them” in his first term.
Emmaus Community for the Poor founder accused of sexual assault against women
The Associated Press reports that a legendary French priest, Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, has been accused of sexual assault or harassment by his own foundation. He was a lifelong advocate of the homeless and founded the Emmaus Community for the Poor, which became an international movement. But his foundation has issued a statement explaining that a woman came forward last year saying she had been sexually assaulted by Abbe Pierre. An internal investigation was begun and eventually the foundation brought in an outside company who reviewed stories of sexual assault or sexual harassment against seven women, one aged 16 or 17, from the 1970s until 2005. The statement said it was reasonable to expect that other people were affected, but it was difficult to estimate how many. It added: “These revelations have shaken our organisations, where the figure of Abbé Pierre plays a major role. We all know his story and his message. These acts profoundly change the way we regard this man, who was known above all for his struggle against poverty, destitution and exclusion”.
Methodists and US Episcopalians move towards unity
The Episcopal Church of the USA and the United Methodist Church will meet this autumn to begin work leading to the implementation of full communion between the churches. It follows a decision taken at ECUSA’s General Convention in Kentucky last month, when it agreed that it “joyfully anticipates advancing towards full communion” between the two churches. A similar positive vote was taken by the United Methodists at their conference in April, and their decision to end the condemnation of homosexuality will have removed a potential block. A decision on unity could be taken at the next ECUSA General Convention in 2027. Episcopalian News Service story here.
Archbishop calls for love, joy and peace in Welsh Assembly riven with infighting
The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, has called on people to pray for values of love, joy peace, patience and kindness in the Welsh parliament, after the first minister Vaughan Gething resigned amidst acrimony and infighting. Gething quit after just four months in the job, during which he faced questions over donations to his leadership campaign, sacked a Welsh government minister for leaking messages which she denied, lost a vote of no confidence and lastly saw three government ministers and a legal adviser resign, while demanding his resignation. Andrew John told Premier Christian News: “We assure all those involved in this painful experience of our prayers” and said the next first minister needed to have the confidence of all who are there.
Israeli and Palestinian youth choir wow judges on “America’s Got Talent”
The Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a choir of Israeli and Palestinian young people based in Jerusalem, has won through the initial audition round of “America’s Got Talent”, after wowing the audience and judges, who gave them four yes votes. The Choir says its aim is to allow young people to grow together, empowering them to sing their truths, become leaders and inspire everyone to work for peace, justice and inclusion. They auditioned with a version of Philip Philips’ song “Home”, about a partnership to help someone settle into a place they can call home.
