At Church Commissioner's Questions yesterday in the House of Commons, Fiona asked "What steps the Church of England is taking to promote freedom of religion or belief?"
Thanking Fiona for her work as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Second Estates Church Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, said,
"It gives me very great pleasure, on behalf of the whole of the Church of England, to thank my Honourable Friend for her hard work as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, and also to congratulate our mutual friend, David Burrowes, on his appointment as her Deputy.
The Church looks forward to working with her over the coming months to deliver a successful international ministerial meeting in London in July, which will make a real difference to those who suffer because of their faith or belief."
Fiona further asked,
"I thank my Honourable Friend for those words and welcome the international opportunities to champion freedom of religion or belief at the ministerial conference in London in July, which I am very proud that the UK is hosting, and at the Lambeth conference.
Will my Honourable Friend join me in commending the motion of the Diocese of Lichfield at the forthcoming General Synod that the Church of England not only prays for the persecuted Church, but that its dioceses offer support to link dioceses in parts of the world where the Church is facing persecution, and that the next Lambeth conference addresses the issues of the persecution of Christians?"
Responding to Fiona's question Andrew Selous MP said,
"I am only sorry that, unusually, our Honourable Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) is not in his place to hear my Honourable Friend’s praise for his diocese.
She is absolutely right that the Church of England’s diocesan links around the globe or Anglican Communion enable that practical help to flow to those who are suffering because of their faith while also developing a greater awareness of this horrendous persecution. I also hope that she will engage directly with the bishops from areas of persecution at the Lambeth conference later this year."