Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Persecution of Christians Overseas

Thursday 23 June 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jim Shannon asked the Minister about the Church's efforts to support the implementation of the Bishop of Truro's review recommendations.
  • The Minister highlighted the murder of 50 Catholics in Nigeria and the ongoing persecution of Christians for alleged blasphemy.
  • The Minister agreed with Jim Shannon to press for the independent review of the Truro review's progress as required and acknowledged the need for continued work on the recommendations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Religion & Faith
Context

The recent murder of 50 Catholics in Nigeria and the ongoing murders of those accused of blasphemy highlight the need for urgent action to implement the Bishop of Truro's review.

Question

What steps is the Church taking to support the implementation of recommendations in the final report of the Bishop of Truro's review on persecution of Christians overseas?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The murder of 50 Catholics in church this month in Ondo state, Nigeria and the ongoing murders for alleged blasphemy are a stark reminder of why the Church of England stands behind the implementation of the Bishop of Truro's review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on specific steps taken by the Church to support the recommendations were not provided

How: General Statement

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Religion & Faith
Context

The independent review on the progress of the Bishop of Truro's recommendations is due, as required by recommendation 22. This year's Open Doors world watch list indicates an increase in persecution with over 4,000 Christians murdered for their faith last year.

Question

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's response but the independent review of progress on Truro is due now, as required by recommendation 22. Will he join me in pressing for that? Does he agree that whatever it says, there will be more work to do on the Truro recommendations and that that must continue as the problem of persecution across the world is getting worse?

Answer from Andrew Selous

That is absolutely right, and the situation does indeed continue to get worse, not better, with over 4,000 Christians murdered for their faith last year. To end the work of the Truro review now would be unthinkable. Recommendation 6 calls for the establishment of the special envoy role permanently and in perpetuity, as for example in the United States of America, and the Church of England supports the full and ongoing implementation of recommendation 6.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to press for the independent review were not addressed

How: General Statement

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