Catholic Union warns of “poverty cliff edge” from Budget
Following the Chancellor’s Budget statement on 3 March, the Catholic Union has issued the statement below.
Read More »Catholic Union warns of “poverty cliff edge” from Budget
News
Webinar: Lord Deben, 23 March 2021 at 6.30pm
“Climate Change – The Gospel Imperative” The Catholic Union is hosting a webinar with The Rt Hon Lord Deben (John Selwyn Gummer) on the… Read More »Webinar: Lord Deben, 23 March 2021 at 6.30pm
Catholic Union calls for clarity on Scottish church openings
The Catholic Union has called for churches across Scotland to be open in time for Easter.
In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, Catholic Union President Sir Edward Leigh, called for a commitment that churches in Scotland will be allowed to open for Easter at the latest and urged Scotland’s First Minister to set out guidance on this as soon as possible.
Nicola Sturgeon set out Scotland’s route map out of a lockdown on Tuesday 23 February. In her statement to MSPs, she said her hope was to see places of worship in Scotland reopen on Monday 5 April “or possibly a few days earlier.” Easter Sunday this year falls on 4 April.
Read More »Catholic Union calls for clarity on Scottish church openings
Webinar: Theology and the Scandals of Abuse
WEBINAR Theology and the Scandals of Abuse Fr Michael Holman SJ Thursday 25 February at 6.30pm Online event – Zoom link to be circulated shortly… Read More »Webinar: Theology and the Scandals of Abuse
“Freedom of expression for believers is under threat” warns Catholic Union
The Catholic Union has warned that freedom of expression is under threat from an increasing failure to accept the legitimacy of different views in society.
It follows the Catholic Union submitting evidence to the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) on a wide range of matters concerning freedom of expression.
The JCHR is conducting an inquiry into freedom of expression, which includes possible changes to hate speech law, behaviour on social media, and the use of Public Space Protection Orders.
Read More »“Freedom of expression for believers is under threat” warns Catholic Union
BBC Watch: Catholics on Thought for the Day
Seven Catholic commentators appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day in 2020. Research from the Catholic Union has found that out of… Read More »BBC Watch: Catholics on Thought for the Day
Catholic Union warns against undermining freedom of expression
The Catholic Union has warned against making any changes to hate crime legislation that risk undermining freedom of expression.
In response to a Law Commission consultation on potential changes to hate crime laws, the Catholic Union said that “protection of the individual citizen against the weaponization of the criminal law is one of the ‘bright line’ differences between a free democratic society and other societies.”
The Law Commission is carrying out a review of hate crime laws in England and Wales, including reformulating the offences of stirring up hatred.
Read More »Catholic Union warns against undermining freedom of expression
Catholic Union warns lockdowns risk fundamental rights
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 of evidence for closing churches again in England last November.
The JCHR – which is made up of MPs and peers – is carrying out an inquiry into the impact of lockdown measures on human rights. As part of the inquiry, the JCHR called for evidence on the impact of lockdowns on freedom of religion and belief, and in particular on collective worship.
Read More »Catholic Union warns lockdowns risk fundamental rights
Catholic Union calls for evidence on Scottish church closures UPDATED
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 lockdown measures in Scotland.
In November last year, the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said there was no evidence of places of worship contributing to the spread of the virus.
Read More »Catholic Union calls for evidence on Scottish church closures UPDATED
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 launched in November and included an online survey (which closed on 11 December) along with meetings with representative groups, including the Catholic Union.