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Christian Concern brings you cutting edge stories week by week, to equip the church to act and pray, to restore the hope of Christ to the centre of our nation.
You can visit our website at: www.christianconcern.com
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Council of Europe tells Member States to accommodate religious beliefs
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The Council of Europe
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l-r: Paul Diamond, Andrea
Minichiello Williams & Gary
McFarlane at the Council of
Europe this week |
In an encouraging development, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has passed an important resolution.
The resolution calls on the 47 Member states to:
“accommodate religious beliefs in the public sphere by guaranteeing freedom of thought in relation to health care, education and the civil service provided that the rights of others to be free from discrimination are respected and that the access to lawful services is guaranteed”.
It also called on States to “ensure the right to well-defined conscientious objection in relation to morally sensitive matters.”
This is good news which should help countries like the UK which are seeking the adoption of ‘reasonable accommodation’ as a sensible means of resolving growing instances of ‘clash of rights’ cases involving Christian identity.
The cases of Christian Legal Centre (CLC) clients Shirley Chaplin and Gary McFarlane were mentioned in the report that was prepared for the debate in the Parliamentary Assembly.
Immediately after Wednesday's debate, a special briefing for Parliamentarians and representatives of national governments took place which focused on the cases of Nurse Shirley Chaplin and Relationships Counsellor Gary McFarlane.
Christian Legal Centre director Andrea Minichiello Williams, standing counsel Paul Diamond and client Gary McFarlane all spoke at the event.
Read more >
In their Grand Chamber application submitted earlier this month, Shirley and Gary argue that Article 9 protections (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) in the UK will be rendered almost meaningless in practice if the European Court does not give clearer direction, especially in a society that displays increasing hostility to Christian belief.
Nurse Shirley Chaplin is urging the Court not merely to rely on the Government’s assertion that her Confirmation Cross presented a ‘health and safety risk’ but to consider the evidence in the case. Otherwise, she argues, the Government can effectively introduce a blanket ban without justification or scrutiny.
Gary McFarlane, meanwhile, highlights how he was effectively penalised for ‘thought-crime’ since no-one would have been denied access to a service as a consequence of his possible conscientious objection to providing same-sex sex therapy. Such 'policing of thought' has disturbing consequences not only for Christians but for the future of a free society.
A decision on whether the Grand Chamber will hear the cases is not expected for several weeks.
Please pray that the Grand Chamber would decide to hear the cases.
Christian Weekly News programme
This week's edition of our Christian Weekly News programme has a focus on abortion. This is to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Abortion Act 1967 coming into effect.
The programme features:
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a profile of the work of Abort67, which educates the public about the reality of abortion (beginning at 6:42)
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the real life experience of a woman who describes the pressure often felt by women to have abortion (beginning at 16:10)
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a moving story of how God revealed himself in the midst of the pain of stillbirth (beginning at 18:52)
Click here to watch the programme
Victory for midwives in landmark abortion conscience case
 Two Catholic midwives have won the right to be exempt from involvement in abortion procedures following a ruling by an appeal court in Scotland.
Judges in Edinburgh ruled that Mary Doogan (58) and Concepta Wood (52) could lawfully refuse to supervise and assist staff involved in abortions under the conscience opt-out clause of the 1967 Abortion Act.
Find out more >
The judgment is hugely significant and means that official guidance from both the Royal College of Midwives and the General Medical Council will almost certainly need to be revised.
For helpful commentary on the implications of this case, read the blog post by Dr Peter Saunders here >
Irish Abortion Bill to go before Cabinet next week
 A bill that proposes to permit abortions on the grounds of mental health in Ireland will go to the Cabinet for approval next week.
The legislation, which permits abortion where the mother is threatening suicide, has been opposed by the Irish Medical Organization (IMO). A group of experts in maternal health care has rejected claims that abortion reduces the risk of mental health problems, such as depression and suicidal inclinations.
Find out more (Life Site News) >
New research paper shows that abortion does not reduce mental health risks
 Professor David Fergusson of the University of Otago in New Zealand has published a research paper on abortion and mental health which has huge implications for abortion laws.
In it he re-appraises the research on this issue and concludes that there is no evidence that abortion reduces mental health consequences for women.
This is hugely significant for the abortion law in England and Wales. 98 per cent of abortions are carried out on grounds that continuing with the pregnancy constitutes a greater risk to a mother’s mental health than an abortion does.
Professor Fergusson's research therefore suggests that these abortions are technically illegal!
Click here to read the blog by Philippa Taylor of the Christian Medical Fellowship, which gives more detail on the paper.
This paper has not received much coverage so please circulate it among your friends!
French Parliament approves same-sex 'marriage' bill despite huge opposition
 The French National Assembly has approved a bill that proposes to introduce same-sex ‘marriage’ in a 331 to 225 vote this week.
The legislation must be approved by the Constitutional Court before it can be passed into law.
Read more >
The vote passed amid huge public opposition to the bill. In the latest of several big rallies, hundreds of thousands of people protested on the streets of Paris on Sunday.
Alberic Dumont, one of the organisers of the demonstration said: "We warned the president back in November that we would not give up and that we would do everything to stop this law being passed, or to get it repealed if it is adopted.”
Read more >
There have been disturbing reports of police violence against demonstrators, including the use of tear gas. Tim Stanley's blog on the Telegraph website highlights some of the incidents. Read it here >
NI churches take a stand on marriage
 The Presbyterian Church has written to politicians in Northern Ireland re-stating its opposition to redefining marriage and urging MLAs not to support a motion which would introduce same sex 'marriage'.
Catholic bishops are also to write to assembly members on the matter, telling them not to vote for the motion.
The actions of the churches come ahead of a debate due to take place at Stormont this coming Monday. Sinn Fein has tabled the motion which calls for legislation allowing same sex 'marriage'.
Read more (BBC) >
Put marriage on the agenda in upcoming local elections
 Local elections will be taking place in most areas within a month.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make marriage one of the big issues on the agenda - but we need your help.
Please ask your local candidates to sign the Coalition for Marriage (C4M) marriage pledge. It asks them whether they oppose or support same sex 'marriage' and whether they vow to protect civil liberties of people who support traditional marriage.
Download a copy here >
Print out the form and have it ready when you meet your candidates. You could also have a copy near the front door for when candidates come canvassing.
Get candidates to complete all the boxes on the form and sign it. Then send it to the C4M address at the bottom of the form.
Download the form >
Local authorities hold a lot power, which they could use to penalise people or organisations who believe in authentic marriage. Local authorities employ thousands of people, including teachers, as well as arranging foster care and hiring out public buildings.
For more information on how redefining marriage relates to local councils, have a look at C4M's short report >
BBC highlights increasing use of Sharia law courts
An investigation by BBC's Panorama team revealed that despite the negative effects of Sharia law on Muslim women, Sharia councils are still being increasingly used in Britain to resolve family and financial disputes.
Watch BBC Panorama: Secrets of Britain's Sharia Councils on iPlayer here >
Baroness Cox is currently pushing a private members bill to make the use of Sharia law illegal where it conflicts with UK legislation.
Prime Minister to block pornography access on public WiFi
 David Cameron has announced plans to automatically block access to pornography through wireless internet in public areas in an attempt to provide more protection for children.
According to The Telegraph, he said: “We are promoting good, clean, WiFi in local cafes and elsewhere to make sure that people have confidence in public WiFi systems so that they are not going to see things they shouldn't.”
Key freedom of speech reform given Royal Assent
 In a significant victory for free speech, a reform to eliminate the word "insulting" from Section 5 of the Public Order Act has been given Royal Assent.
Previously, Section 5 imposed criminal penalties for using "insulting" words or behaviour that caused "harassment, alarm or distress" to the public.
This suppressed free speech and led to the arrest of a number of Christian street preachers - including those who described the practice of homosexuality as 'sinful'.
The word "insulting" has now been removed from Section 5 following a long-standing campaign for the change by the Christian Institute. Find out more about their campaign here >
Tower Hamlets - Support new powers to resist sex venues
 Tower Hamlets Council in London is consulting on whether to adopt new powers which would give it more control in regulating sex entertainment venues (such as lap dancing clubs).
These new powers have helped a number of local councils across the country stop such venues from opening.
If you live in Tower Hamlets, please complete the survey and state your support for the council adopting these new legal powers.
Here are some points you can make:
•Sends the message that Tower Hamlets is concerned about ensuring the borough is a safe and comfortable place to live
•Residents more empowered to make their views known
•More powers for the local authority to refuse sexual entertainment in a particular area
•Opportunity for council to establish a ‘nil policy’ in relation to sexual entertainment venues in a particular area – making it more difficult for applications to succeed
Click here to see the proposals and complete the survey.
Christian doctors comment on new GMC guidelines on 'Personal beliefs and Medical Practice'
The General Medical Council recently issued new guidelines on the extent to which doctors are permitted to discuss their beliefs with patients and enquire about their patients' beliefs.
The guidance shows that there is still some scope for doctors to discuss their personal beliefs within the medical consultation provided that certain ground rules are followed.
Find out more (Dr Peters Saunders BlogSpot) >
Psychiatrist and Christian, Dr Rob Waller, has also spoken about the guidelines on BBC Radio 4. Listen to the interview here >
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Full List of Links
 We offer a full list of links from third party news sites on a range of diverse issues which may be of interest to Christians.
Links >
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Push for Babies - NOT happening tomorrow
 Unfortunately the "Push for Babies" event due to take place tomorrow has been CANCELLED.
Finance in Ministry conference - Tomorrow!
 Legal regulations on church finance are changing: it's important that our churches are financially healthy.
This is a one-day, high-impact confrence for church leaders and their ministers, trustees, treasurers and administrators.
Christian Concern's Ade Omooba will be one of the conference speakers.
Held by CiC International, Stewardship and Anthony Collins Solicitors.
Venue:
Kensington Forum Hotel
97 Cromwell Road, London
SW7 4DN
Time:
10am - 4.30pm (27 April)
For further details and to book a place, go to the CiC website >
Men’s curry night – Chippenham
 This coming Wednesday ( 1st May) Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham are hosting an evening for men which includes an Indian meal.
Andrew Marsh, Campaigns Director for Christian Concern, will be speaking.
The cost is £10, to be paid on the door.
If you’d like to book a place or get more information about the event, please contact the church office.
The State of Europe Forum
 The STATE OF EUROPE FORUM, held annually in the capital of the country holding the EU presidency, brings participants from across Europe together this year in Dublin, May 9 & 10.
It offers an opportunity to meet with other believers for informed dialogue in politics, economics, education, healthcare, church, youth work and social work, to formulate concrete and strategic responses.
Speakers include Dr Os Guinness, Dr Michael Schluter and Dr Tomas Sedlacek.
For more details and to register, go to the State of Europe Forum website >
World Congress of Families VII
 World Congress of Families VII - Happy Families, Healthy Economy
Sydney, Australia 15-18 May 2013
The World Congress of Families is not like other Congresses. It has an ambitious and urgent task of shifting the debate in key areas to strengthen the natural family worldwide.
While the Congress will feature over 100 leaders from academia, business, law, politics, religion, media, health, education, entertainment, and activists, who will present data and reasoned arguments for strengthening the natural family, it is really those listening and learning, in other words, the delegates, that will determine the success of the Congress.
Why? Because delegates go away and become catalysts for change – at work, at home and in their affiliated organisations. This is how we measure success!
Click here to find out more on the WCF website
"Being Wise Shepherds" conference in Sussex
 Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, will be speaking at the "Being Wise Shepherds" conference hosted by the Emmaus Group on Friday 21st June.
The conference is aimed at equipping leaders to prepare and protect congregation members experiencing opposition to their Christian faith in the public sphere .
Date & Time: 21st June 2013, 10am-5pm
Venue: The event is being held in a venue in Crawley (full details will be issued upon booking)
Speakers: Andrea Williams (Christian Legal Centre) Dr Patrick Sookhdeo (Barnabas Fund), Sami Hussein (Ex-Islamic Militant, Emmaus Group), Howard Stern (Christian Mediator & Negotiator), Christy & Natalie (Palestinian Arab Christians)
To book your place online go to the Emmaus Group website here >
Death: The Last Enemy – North London
 The Last Enemy: Wrestling with The Reality of Death is an upcoming conference hosted by Emmanuel Evangelical Church in North London.
The main speaker is Dr Rob George, Professor of Palliative Care at Kings College London, and Consultant in Palliative and End-of-Life care at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital. He has spoken widely as a Christian on issues associated with death and dying, and is active as a government advisor.
Date & Time: Saturday 29 June 2013, 10am – 4pm (coffee from 9:30 am)
Venue: The Welsh Chapel, Freston Gardens, Cockfosters, EN4 9LY
Cost: £15 per person, £25 couples and families, £10 students and unwaged
For more information or to book a place, click here >
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