UCB Broadcast March 2007
Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Gareth Wallace and I work in Westminster for the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs Department.
Sexual Orientation Regulations
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 have finally been published.
These Regulations are similar to those recently issued in Northern Ireland but thankfully no 'harassment' clause has been included in the Great Britain Regulations.
However there are grave concerns that section 11 of the new regulations will allow for discrimination allegations to be made against someone preaching or teaching in a church. The Curriculum is also included in the regulations, which means that Faith Schools will not for example be able to teach Christian sexual ethics without committing a discrimination offence. It also means the normalisation of Homosexuality at Primary School level.
Christians are being asked to forego their freedom of speech by being asked to provide a good or a service against their beliefs. They can of course leave their job. But where is the freedom in that?
In the case of Roman Catholic adoption agencies, it seems logical to simply refer Homosexual couples on to another adoption agency. In fact this is such a rare occurrence there is only one recorded case of this needing to happen. That way the Christian agency does not have to go against its conscience and the homosexual couple is matched with a child elsewhere. No-ones human rights are affected. But under these regulations Christians are imposed upon by having to give up their beliefs altogether when it impinges on delivering a public service.
The situation in Parliament is also deeply troubling, not least due to the tactics the Government employed in trying to sneak these regulations through without a vote by MPs.
In fact three different amended editions of the regulations have been published and the regulations were taken off the internet on the 14th March while changes were made.
The Joint Lords and Commons Committee on statuary instruments met on Wed the 14th of March. This Committee’s role is to check that the Government have followed protocol and that the Government are not abusing their power. This committee has the power of delay if they think protocol has not been observed, but they did not choose to exercise this power.
At 8:55am on the 15th April the House of Commons Delegated Legislation Committee met to discuss the SORs. In such a committee dissent leads to a paper ballot being held. Christian Conservative MP David Burrowes spoke for the Conservatives at this important meeting. This committee meeting is the only scrutiny that MPs will give the regulations. The next stage is a debate in the House of Lords on the 21st March. Upon passing this final hurdle the regulations will come into force on the 30th April 2007.
The Government is concerned about the reaction of particularly the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland with key elections taking place on the 3rd May. They will not want a reopening of the Church adoption agency debate at so sensitive a time.
Please pray for great wisdom for the Christian groups and MPs working on this sensitive issue.
Pray that freedom of conscience will prevail and that churches and Christian charities will not be forced to go against their religious beliefs.
Slavery
As we approach the 200th anniversary commemorations of the abolition of the Slave trade, Amazing Grace, the Movie about the Inspirational Life of William Wilberforce is being released in Cinemas on Friday 23rd March 2007.
You can see the movie trailer at www.amazinggracemovie.com
The Amazing Grace study guide and the faith resource guide are also available on the website for use in churches and schools. Groups are being encouraged to go along. For help with group bookings email uk@amazinggracemovie.com
Please pray that this movie and its associated resources will encourage more to get engaged in Westminster politics and in campaigning for Justice.
Please pray that the Micah Challenge: Blow the Whistle campaign on global poverty and the Stop the Traffik campaign on human trafficking will make a real difference to modern day slavery and injustice.
24-7 prayer stop the Traffik, Vigil on 24th March
24-7 Prayer are teaming up with Stop the Traffik to encourage people to hold a prayer vigil to pave the way for Stop the Traffik’s freedom day on Sunday 25th March.
Abolition march
On Saturday 24th March, to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, a march will be led by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York starting at 12pm from Whitehall. The marchers will go down Millbank and onto Kennington Park.
The walk is being designed as a high-profile public act of Christian witness - a gathering to acknowledge the lasting legacy of the slave trade and an act of repentance and restoration. The walk aims to form a basis for the Church to pledge to act with a renewed thirst for justice.
The day will be rounded off with a large scale act of worship in Kennington Park at 2.15pm.
For more information visit making your mark
Please pray for those coming to London to take part in the March on the 24th, for those taking part in the prayer vigil that night and for events up and down the country on freedom sunday itself.
Pray that those who see the movie, or attend any of the myriad of events over this commemoration season, will be inspired to take action and get involved in politics to make the world a better place.
Further Prayer and Action
For further insights on these and other issues The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly Prayer and campaigns action and prayer sheet. If you have any questions please e-mail the public affairs team.
