Family Relationships, Parenting and Marriage 2023-06-15
2023-06-15
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Church of England's Archbishops' commission on families and households made recommendations to support family relationships, parenting, and marriage.
What steps is the Church of England taking to implement the 36 recommendations from the Archbishops' Commission on Families and Households?
The commissioners made 36 recommendations to the Church of England and 29 to the Government. The focus now must turn to implementation with recommendations including supporting a consistent and universal roll-out of family hubs, requiring registrars to signpost high-quality marriage preparation, and a call to the Church to build relational capability at all life stages.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Church weddings have declined from 51,000 in 2011 to 29,000 by 2019. Average congregational attendance has dropped since the current Archbishop of Canterbury came into office.
How can the Church influence family relationships and marriage matters when declining attendance suggests many are voting with their feet?
The work the commissioners are doing to fund the Church to try new types of ministry in different parts of the country has been successful. The right hon. Gentleman will join me in supporting the objectives of the Church Commissioners to strengthen family life, and he agrees with me about the role that registrars have to play.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific measures to increase church attendance were not detailed.
The Answer Focused On General Support For Objectives But Did Not Specify Concrete Actions.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a debate about allowing same-sex couples to marry in the Church, and the commissioners concluded that 'family' does not necessitate specific family forms.
Does the Church welcome the commissioners' conclusion that 'family' can include various relationships beyond traditional ones?
This was an independent report welcomed by the Church based on two years of evidence collection and discussions with young people. It contains sensible suggestions, but issues like same-sex marriage are part of the General Synod agenda for York early next month.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific stance on allowing same-sex couples to marry was not addressed.
The Answer Referenced Future Decisions By The General Synod Without Providing A Direct Commitment.
Response accuracy