The Catholic Union has warned about disproportionate interference with people’s freedom of religion or belief during lockdowns imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. In evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), the Catholic Union states that the Government was slow to reopen churches after the first national lockdown. It also highlights the lack […]
Category: News
Catholic Union calls for evidence on Scottish church closures
The Catholic Union has called on the Scottish Government to publish evidence for its decision to close places of worship again. In a letter to Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Catholic Union said it was extremely concerned about the decision to close churches for private prayer and worship as part of new […]
Catholic Union meets Government’s Faith Adviser
The Catholic Union has called on the Government to respect faiths in the same way as other world views in a meeting with the Government’s Faith Adviser, Colin Bloom. The meeting was part of the evidence gathering process for the Government’s Independent Faith Engagement Review, being led by Mr Bloom. The review was […]
Catholic Union updates MPs and Peers on recent work
Ahead of the Christmas recess, the Catholic Union has sent out a parliamentary update to our supporters in both Houses of Parliament. The email update provides parliamentarians with a summary of our news and campaigns over the past few months. Our Advent edition covers our work on helping to reopen churches for services, supporting people […]
“Family tax” adding to food poverty warns Catholic Union
The Catholic Union has warned that the two-child cap on the childcare element of Universal Credit and Tax Credits is contributing to food poverty. In a letter to food charity, Fair Share, the Catholic Union has called for a focus on addressing the underlying causes of poverty and inconsistencies in support offered to people […]
Sir James MacMillan CBE delivers annual Craigmyle Lecture
The Catholic Union’s annual Craigmyle Lecture was delivered this year by the Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan CBE with the title “Music, Faith and Politics”. This year’s lecture on 24 November was delivered via video conference on account of coronavirus restrictions, with Sir James addressing Catholic Union members and supporters from his home in […]
Catholic Union responds to the Spending Review
Following the publication of the Government’s Spending Review on 25 November, the Catholic Union has issued the following response. Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, comments: “This year’s Spending Review has revealed the scale of the economic shock caused by coronavirus. “The combination of a public health emergency and an economic emergency is having […]
Catholic Union responds to reopening of churches for worship
On 23 November, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, confirmed that churches in England will be able to open for worship from 3 December. The decision follows a joint call from over 70 MPs and peers to lift the ban on religious services.
MPs and peers call for Christmas church guarantee
A cross party group of over 70 MPs and peers has called on the Prime Minister to guarantee that church services will go ahead this Christmas. In a letter to Boris Johnson, they call for churches in England to be open for worship as soon as possible, and at least in time for Christmas. […]
Catholic Union AGM – Thursday 19 November at 6.30pm
The Catholic Union AGM will be held on Thursday 19 November at 6.30pm. Before the onset of Covid-19, we had been granted the privilege of holding this year’s AGM in the Throne Room of Archbishop’s House, Westminster, in honour of our 150th anniversary. The AGM will now be held online on Zoom (slightly earlier than previously advertised) because […]