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Equality Bill Second Reading
The Equality Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday 15 December. 'Second Reading' is the first major debate on a Bill and no amendments are considered.
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Schedule 9 of the Bill makes it an offence for faith bodies to insist that successful job applicants/existing employees must live in line with church teaching on sexual ethics, unless the role in question is wholly or mainly concerned with leading liturgy or ritual or promoting or explaining doctrine.
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There is major concern that this definition is so narrow that it won’t cover many church leaders, let alone anyone else, and thus make it very difficult for church and para-church projects (certainly in the Evangelical tradition) to continue to operate.
During the debate the Archbishop of York, Baroness Cumberlege and Baroness O’Cathain highlighted the Schedule 9 problem. To read the Archbishop’s speech click HERE
Baroness O’Cathain also spoke at length about the general impact of equalities on Christian Britain. To read her speech click HERE
Helpful faith-sensitive contributions were also made by the Bishop of Chester and Lord Davies of Coity.
Unfortunately Baroness Royal, the Government minister in charge of taking the Bill through the House of Lords, refused to recognise the Schedule 9 problem.
The next stage - when it will be possible to seek to amend the Bill - will be ‘Committee Stage’ which commences on 11 January 2010.
To read the whole debate click HERE
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| | Mr Anthony Fry (Guest) | 05/01/2010 09:19 | | I am deeply concerned about how this bill would effect any faith body should the bill be passed in it's present form.
My primary corn is how Christian faith bodies would be effected.
| | | Dr Cathy Wield (Guest) | 11/01/2010 11:38 | | I am deeply concerned that that this bill will impose serious restrictions on faith based organisations.
| | | Richard Leyton (Guest) | 11/01/2010 17:11 | | I am deeply concerned with the potential implications of the Bill and the effect that it would have on church organisations and their ability to continue to minister according to their beliefs.
| | | David & Emm Warmbath (Guest) | 12/01/2010 20:20 | | We wish to express our deep concern that should this bill be passed it will have serious consequences for Churches and faith based Charities and organisations.
| | | Tracy & Allan King (Guest) | 16/01/2010 14:16 | | We would like to say that the schedule 9 section of this Bill is very limiting and therfor will impose problems and limitations on christian churches and organisations.
HQU85
| | | Paul Davies (Guest) | 18/01/2010 11:14 | | I am deeply concerned that this Bill will limit the right of churches to appoint leaders who teach and live Christian values.
| | | Pauline Turner (Guest) | 19/01/2010 16:18 | | I agree with the statements put forward by Baroness O'Cathain especially about the threat to religious freedom and for this reason I would not wish to see this Bill passed.
| | | clare sheehan (Guest) | 19/01/2010 17:28 | | I too agree that this Bill will limit those who want to live and teach Christian principles
| | | David Cole (Guest) | 21/01/2010 19:15 | | If you oppose Schedule 9 of this Bill do sign the petition against it at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/harryhammond
| | | Barry & Jennifer Green (Guest) | 28/01/2010 13:30 | | We wish to express our deep concern that should this Bill be passed in its current form,it will have serious implications for Churches and faith based charities and organisations. We are equally concerned that this Bill will restrict the right of Churches to appoint leaders who teach and live with Christian values.
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