Churches criticise conversion practices bill for 'criminalising prayer'

Representatives from the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have voiced concerns about the government’s draft Conversion Practices Bill, saying that it criminalises Christian prayer and pastoral care.

The draft Conversion Practices Bill was announced in the King’s Speech earlier this year, and MPs on the bill committee have been scrutinising the details of the legislation in Parliament this week. The draft law makes it illegal to attempt to change a person’s sexual or gender identity, with a penalty of up to five years in prison. Many organisations have spoken out against the Bill, including Christian groups who are worried about the threat it poses to parents and churches who encourage mainstream biblical teaching on gender and sexuality.

Last week, Cabinet Offices officials spoke to The Telegraph newspaper saying that there was “support for our draft bill from the Church of England”. They cited previous endorsement for the bill from the Bishop of Manchester.

However, a spokesperson for the Church of England voiced concerns about the bill, saying: “We believe that everyone is made in the image of God and should be cherished for who they are. In 2017, the General Synod voted overwhelmingly to call on the Government to bring forward a ban on conversion therapy with respect to sexual orientation, which has since been echoed by senior leaders.

“It is, however, important to ensure that any legislation does not unintentionally criminalise providing appropriate prayer and pastoral care to those who seek it, and we will reflect this concern in our evidence to the pre-legislative scrutiny process. Of course, pastoral care and prayer should never be coercive. A ban on conversion therapy must still allow space for discussion and disagreement. We want to prevent abuses of power and coercive practices, which should be the focus of any legislation.”

The Church of England’s General Synod – the church’s legislative body – passed the call for a ban on conversion therapy in 2017, before the proposed law was announced and before gender identity was added to the legislation.

Criticism for the draft Bill has also come from the Roman Catholic Church. John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool and chairman of the department of social justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said that the bishops “recognise that it is important for governments to use appropriate legislation to protect people from abuse”.

However, he went on to say that the “current legislation already covers such abusive practices and makes them illegal”. He continued: “There is a danger that this legislation will create uncertainty around lawful pastoral care by the Church, family life and the legality of open conversations that might take place in a range of social settings… We are concerned that this legislation will challenge the Church’s ability to fulfil its calling to proclaim an authentic understanding of the human person with clarity, simplicity, love and respect. People of faith must remain free to express their beliefs through speech and prayer.”

He concluded by saying: “We call on politicians to abandon this bill and focus instead on enforcement of existing protections and accessible support for anyone facing abuse or coercion.”

The joint committee considering the Draft Conversion Practices Bill is currently accepting evidence from the public, as well as those scheduled to appear before the committee.

Since this Bill, as it stands, would risk criminalising parents who express opposition to a teenager exploring gender reassignment, or pastors and youth leaders who hold to regular Christian teaching, you can add your voice to the evidence.

We have put together some practical guidance on how to raise your concerns. The deadline for submissions is on Monday, 16 November.

Click here for more information and details about how to submit evidence.