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churchstate.bsky.social
Church of England in Parliament
@churchstate.bsky.social
1.4K followers 33 following 98 posts
Church of England Parliamentary office, working with Lords Spiritual, MPs, Peers & staff in Palace of Westminster. Account maintained by @richardachapman.bsky.social

www.churchinparliament.org
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churchstate.bsky.social
Some pictures from the introduction to the House of Lords yesterday of @bishopsophie.bsky.social
Screen showing the introduction of the Bishop of Coventry and her supporters, the Bishops of London and Sheffield Left to right: the Bishops of Sheffield, Coventry and London in the Bishops' robing room before the introduction. The Bishop of Coventry in the House of Lords chamber listening to her writ of summons from His Majesty being read out by the Reading Clerk. The Bishop of Coventry shaking hands with the Lord Speaker before taking her seat on the Bishops' Benches.
September 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
Parliament returns today from the summer recess. On duty this week in the House of Lords are the Bishop of Leeds (Mon/Tues) and the Bishop of Sheffield @bishoppete.bsky.social (Wed-Fri). They will be reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Leeds, Right Reverend Nick Baines, speaking in the House of Lords The Bishop of Sheffield, Right Reverend Pete Wilcox, speaking in the House of Lords
September 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop of St Albans has made his final appearance in the House of Lords today. Bishop Alan has been a vocal advocate for human rights in his 12 years in the Lords. So it was fitting his last question in the Chamber should be on the imprisonment of British citizen Jimmy Lai, in Hong Kong.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent steps they have taken towards securing the release of Jimmy Lai. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Lord Collins of Highbury) (Lab) My Lords, British national Jimmy Lai’s case is a priority for this Government. We continue to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and release him. The Foreign Secretary committed in the House of Commons that Ministers would raise Jimmy Lai’s case with the Hong Kong and Chinese officials at every opportunity, and we have been doing so. Our diplomats have attended his trial and continue to press for consular access. I know the right reverend Prelate will be retiring at the end of the month. I express my gratitude and, I am sure, that of the whole House for all his work. Noble Lords: Hear, hear. The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I am grateful for noble Lords’ kindness. I am glad to ask my last Question on the welfare of a British citizen whose only crime is to exercise freedoms that this House has long stood for: freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. He is 77, has diabetes and is being held in solitary confinement, and the next stage of his trial is being delayed until August. This is shameful. I thank the Minister for what His Majesty’s Government are already doing, but I wonder what consideration is being given to introducing a legal right to consular access to all British citizens being held in detention, and what other discussions he and his colleagues have held with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to see whether it and other international parties can develop an integrated approach to seeking Jimmy Lai’s release.
May 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
churchstate.bsky.social
This is the first week on duty in the House of Lords for the Bishop of Lichfield, Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave. He will be reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House. On Thursday he has a question on the order paper about ex-offenders leaving prison.
The Bishop of Lichfield speaking in the House of Lords Question text: "The Lord Bishop of Lichfield to ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing for ex-offenders to support their transition from life in prison and their reintegration into society."
May 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
churchstate.bsky.social
This week in the Lords the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, Rt Revd Paul Williams, is on duty. He is reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House.

During questions yesterday, he asked Govt about mentoring & role models for boys & young men.
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, asked: My Lords, given the importance of young men needing positive role models in their lives, and of these being people they actually know and can talk to consistently, have His Majesty’s Government considered—as part of their Young Futures programme—how the PSHE curriculum in schools can be tailored more to facilitating these opportunities, taking note particularly of the excellent work of charities such as Kick, which are providing more and more mentors to primary and secondary schools? Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour, Home Office Minister), replied: Education and contact in schools is probably one of the key issues that need to be challenged to give young people the skills and confidence to play a role with their friends in a way that is not in a gang—where they are not drawn into criminal activity and have the confidence to resist those temptations when they are put in front of them. The right reverend Prelate’s point is vital, and it lies with the Department for Education in England and with the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is key to driving up individuals’ confidence to tackle knife crime at source. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham speaking in the House of Lords
May 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
Happy Feast Day of St George. In Parliament's Central Lobby there are large mosaics of the patron saints of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, above the four main entrance/exits. The mosaic of St George, patron saint of England, is above the archway leading to the House of Lords.
The mosaic of St George in Parliament
April 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
This week in the Lords the Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Libby Lane, is on duty. She will be reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Derby in the House of Lords
April 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
In the Lords yesterday the Bishop of Oxford backed the Government's Tobacco & Vapes Bill, saying, "we are called to love our neighbours and seek their good; indeed, what is profoundly Christian is that this may be at the expense of ourselves and our own choices and preferences."
The Bishop said: "My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Stevens. I rise to support this important Bill and to express the support of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London, who sends her apologies that she cannot be here today. I thank the Minister for her very clear introduction, and other noble Lords for their principled and non-partisan support. This is an extremely important and effective public health measure that prioritises preventive health at a time when demands on acute services are so significant. Stark inequalities in health remain one of the most persistent and negative health outcomes of modern times. Smoking falls clearly along this line of inequality. Action on Smoking and Health goes so far as to say that smoking is the leading cause of “the gap in healthy life expectancy”. The Government have already committed to being smoke-free by 2030 and although the most well-off parts of the country may be on track for that, Cancer Research UK reports, as the noble Lord, Lord Stevens, has said, that the most deprived areas are not likely to meet that target until 2050 at current rates. We know from the evidence given by Professors Javed Khan and Chris Whitty to the Health and Social Care Select Committee that the tobacco industry continues to target" (continued) (continued) "the young and vulnerable and relies, as we have heard, on them becoming addicted. This leads to a highly profitable outcome for the industry and a highly harmful outcome for the individual and the family. In England, 352,000 years of life are lost in this exchange every year. Though unintentional, the inhalation of second-hand smoke is also harmful. The “smoke-free generation” element of the Bill, which raises the age of sale by one year every year, is controversial for some because it is about choice. However, it recognises that our choices are made not in a vacuum but with consequences for others. We all submit to the law and exercise limited rights for the good and protection of our neighbours. We are called to love our neighbours and seek their good; indeed, what is profoundly Christian is that this may be at the expense of ourselves and our own choices and preferences. We agree on the need to reduce health inequalities and to reduce the overall smoking rate in line with the Government’s smoke-free commitments. Much of the onus for these tasks is on integrated care boards, so I ask the Minister: what will the impact of the announced 50% cuts to operational costs be on stop-smoking Toggle showing location ofColumn 668services and, more widely, on the reduction of health inequalities? In the midst of such pressure on the health service, and in such a time of transition for the NHS, a change like this is required to reduce this enduring inequality in health outcomes. It also seems clear that a “polluter pays” levy should be considered to support these and other stop-smoking services. I am glad to see the introduction of this Bill and commend the Government and the previous Government for their courageous action on the issue." The Bishop of Oxford speaking in the debate
April 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
The House of Lords has returned from recess. The bishop on duty this week is Rt Revd Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford. He will be reading prayers at the start of business each day and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Oxford speaking in the House of Lords
April 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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Following the police raid on a Quaker Meeting House in London last week, the @bishmanchester.bsky.social has tabled questions to the Government.
Question text: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the police raid on a Quaker meeting house on 27 March for religious and democratic freedoms. Question text: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, and (2) the Public Order Act 2023, on the right to peaceful protest. Times headline and first lines of article dated Saturday 29 March 2025: "Met Police smash down door of Quaker meeting house to arrest activists. Twenty officers handcuffed six women and took them to the police station in what is thought to be the first raid on a meeting house. More than 20 Metropolitan Police officers broke down the front door of a Quaker meeting house to arrest six women who had met to discuss climate change and Gaza."
April 2, 2025 at 11:14 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop on duty in the House of Lords this week is Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark. He will read prayers at the start of each sitting day and take part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Southwark speaking in the House of Lords
March 31, 2025 at 11:09 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
This week in the House of Lords, the Bishop of Gloucester will be on duty today, the Bishop of Guildford tomorrow, and @petewilcox.bsky.social for the rest of the week. Each bishop will read prayers at the start of the sitting day and take part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Gloucester speaking in the House of Lords The Bishop of Guildford taking his oath in the House of Lords The Bishop of Sheffield speaking in the House of Lords
March 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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The Bishop of St Albans is asking a question in the Lords today, on access to pharmacies.
Question text: "The Lord Bishop of St Albans to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the potential reduction in pharmacy opening hours." The Bishop of St Albans in the House of Lords
March 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop of Gloucester will be asking a question on the ceasefire in Gaza, in the House of Lords today.
Private Notice Question (15 minutes): The Lord Bishop of Gloucester to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the durability of the ceasefire in Gaza.
March 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
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The Bishop of London, Rt Revd Sarah Mullaly, is on duty in the House of Lords this week, reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of London speaking in the House of Lords
March 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Viv Faull is on duty in the House of Lords this week. She will be reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House. @bpviv.bsky.social
Picture of the Bishop of Bristol speaking in the House of Lords
March 10, 2025 at 12:20 PM
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There will be a short debate tonight at the end of the business in the House of Commons, on safeguarding in the Church of England. It will be led by Labour MP Luke Myer, and a Home Office minister will respond. The Second Church Estates Commissioner, @marshadecordova.bsky.social will also speak.
Clip from UK Parliament website, which reads: "Adjournment, 3rd March 2025. Safeguarding in the Church of England."
March 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
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Rt. Revd Graham Usher @bishopnorwich.bsky.social is on duty this week in the House of Lords. He will be reading prayers at the start of each sitting day, and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Norwich speaking in the House of Lords
March 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop of London, Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, spoke in the Lords today on the Government’s announcement of aid cuts to increase defence spending.
The Lord Bishop of London said: My Lords, I refer to my entry in the register of interests: I am the chair of Christian Aid. I am very privileged to follow the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, because I think we need to reject this false choice between defence spending and development spending. They are not competing priorities. This is not just about reputation. Properly used development funding helps to prevent conflict. It tackles instability and provides a greater and more just world. We have heard the concern that cutting aid in this way risks exacerbating instability and leads to conflict. Will the Government not just make an assessment of the outcomes of this cut in funding but make a proper assessment about the risk of increased insecurity, instability and conflict as a result of the cut? Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) replied: I thank the right reverend Prelate for her comments. She asked how the assessment will be made. It will be made on the overall outcomes of the impact that the cut will have and how best to ensure that the best use of the money is being made. We are still talking about £9 billion of international aid, which will go into a range of projects. Between now and 2027 there is an opportunity to look at that, and the FCDO is actively undertaking that work at the moment. She is right; these are difficult and hard decisions that must be made, but we have to ensure that we stand to protect the nation and the safety and security of our citizens and those in other countries.
February 26, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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Local BBC News coverage of question to Govt from @helenannhartley.bsky.social on repairs to a bridge across the Tyne, in the Newcastle diocese.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Extract from the article: "Budget funding. When asked by the Bishop of Newcastle whether the Department for Transport (DfT) intended to pay for a refurbishment of the bridge, Transport Minister Lord Hendy said the department was "always willing" to discuss what support could be offered. In a written response to a question tabled in the House of Lords by the Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Lord Hendy said Newcastle and Gateshead councils were responsible for the maintenance of the bridge through the joint committee. He added: "The department does not hold a central contingency fund to pay for repairs of this sort but is always willing to discuss with individual highway authorities what support might be available." He went on to say Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an extra £500m for highway maintenance in the Budget, with the North East Combined Authority receiving "an additional £21.7m".
February 25, 2025 at 11:43 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
On Thursday the Bishop of Chelmsford will lead a short debate in the House of Lords on British citizens being held prisoner in Iran.
Title of debate: "The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford to ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they are making to reduce the number of British citizens being held by the Iranian regime."
February 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani is on duty in the House of Lords this week, reading prayers at the start of each sitting day and taking part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani, in the House of Lords.
February 24, 2025 at 11:05 AM
churchstate.bsky.social
In the Lords on Monday the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, will ask a question on reducing re-offending among domestic abusers.
Text of the Bishop of Gloucester's question: "to ask His Majesty's Government what programmes and interventions are used to reduce re-offending among domestic abusers in the community; and what are the re-offending rates of those who participate."
February 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
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Bishop of London: "The best safeguard is the current law. I urge Parliament to reject this Bill. It is neither safe nor compassionate. We should be focusing on providing the best possible palliative care services. Dying people should be offered hope, not fear."

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Letter from Bishop of London to The Guardian: Kim Leadbeater’s proposed amendment to the assisted dying bill has filled me and many others with grave concern. Leadbeater has described the bill as the “most robust piece of legislation on this issue in the world”. However, the removal of judicial oversight significantly weakens the safeguards, raising concerns about what other measures may be dropped through the legislative process or through the interpretation of clinicians. While it will be essential to involve multidisciplinary teams if the law is changed, this need not have come at the expense of judicial oversight. While we do not yet know who will be appointed to the proposed expert panels, concerns have already been raised that there will inevitably be a self-selection bias to the voluntary assisted dying commission. My background as a nurse and as a priest tells me that the best safeguard is the current law. I urge parliament to reject this bill. It is neither safe nor compassionate. Instead, we should be focusing on providing the best possible palliative care services. Dying people should be offered hope, not fear. Sarah Mullally Bishop of London and lead bishop for health and social care, Church of England
February 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
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The Bishop of Chichester, Rt Revd Martin Warner, is on duty throughout this week in the House of Lords. He will read prayers at the start of each sitting day and take part in the business of the House.
The Bishop of Chichester in the House of Lords
February 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM