Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Christians in Nigeria

Thursday 27 April 2023 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Fiona Bruce asked about discussions between the Church of England and the Church of Nigeria regarding the killing and abduction of Christians in Nigeria.
  • The Minister acknowledged ongoing atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, including recent killings, and stressed the need to raise concerns with Nigeria.
  • Fiona Bruce also inquired about support for UK missionaries in vulnerable positions in affected regions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Fiona Bruce Con
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England has been criticized for inadequate attention to the killings and abductions of Christians in Nigeria, as reported by Open Doors. Recent attacks include 32 Christians killed in an IDP camp on Good Friday.

Question

What discussions the Church of England has had with the Church of Nigeria on the killing and abduction of Christians in that country? Since the matter was last raised there have been further atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, including 32 Christians killed in an attack by suspected Fulani militants on an IDP camp housing nearly 30,000 people.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Frankly, words are a rather inadequate response to what we have just heard, but we must not tire of raising our voices with Nigeria. As a good friend to Nigeria, I would expect our distress to be heard loudly and clearly. The Foreign Office obviously needs to keep on passing on the message.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to stronger measures or specific actions by the Church

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Q2 Fiona Bruce Con
Religion & Faith
Context

There are missionaries from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Nigeria, including some from Strangford constituency. These missionaries may be isolated and vulnerable.

Question

What discussions have taken place to ensure that support is available for ex-pat and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland missionaries in the regions we are discussing who are isolated and may be in a vulnerable position?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I thank the hon. Member for raising this issue, for his continued interest in it and for the magnificent work he does chairing the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief. The Bishop of Guildford was recently in Nigeria, speaking out on behalf of all Christians not just members of the Anglican communion, in Nigeria.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific support measures for UK missionaries

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England has been criticized for inadequate attention to the killings and abductions of Christians in Nigeria, as reported by Open Doors. Recent attacks include 32 Christians killed in an IDP camp on Good Friday.

Question

What discussions the Church of England has had with the Church of Nigeria on the killing and abduction of Christians in that country? Since the matter was last raised there have been further atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, including 32 Christians killed in an attack by suspected Fulani militants on an IDP camp housing nearly 30,000 people.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Frankly, words are a rather inadequate response to what we have just heard, but we must not tire of raising our voices with Nigeria. As a good friend to Nigeria, I would expect our distress to be heard loudly and clearly. The Foreign Office obviously needs to keep on passing on the message.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to stronger measures or specific actions by the Church

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

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