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Church Commissioners
26 January 2023
Lead MP
Desmond Swayne
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Crime & Law Enforcement
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Desmond Swayne raised concerns about church commissioners in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Asked whether the commissioners have made an estimate of the proportion of the Church’s assets that may be linked to historical involvement with slavery, and pressed for assurance on how the £100 million fund will address current issues of slavery.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Asked about the Church's assets linked historically to slavery and sought assurances that the £100 million fund would focus on contemporary issues of slavery.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Emphasised the importance of focusing on positive aspects of the Church, such as its missionary work in spreading Christianity and addressing current social issues rather than dwelling solely on historical wrongs.
Asked about Dean Adrian Dorber’s contributions at Lichfield cathedral and questioned if better training could be provided for those running cathedrals.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Inquired whether the Commissioners have held discussions with senior Church leaders regarding allowing clergy to conduct blessings for same-sex couples and questioned why non-believing heterosexuals are permitted to marry in the Church while committed LGBTQI+ believers are not.
Government Response
Provided details on the £100 million fund dedicated to combating modern slavery, clarified legal requirements for changing ecclesiastical law regarding same-sex marriage and blessings, and discussed variations in policies across different Anglican provinces.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.