The Bill is intended to create new offences in relation to the “carrying out of abusive conversion practices on individuals” according to the government’s Office for Opportunity and Equality.
Archbishop Sherrington, chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Bishops’ Conference, warned, “The Bill is very broad in its scope.
“The Bill defines ‘conversion practices’ as conduct towards someone which intends to make a person have, or not have, a particular sexual orientation or transgender identity, or make them believe they have or do not have such an identity.
“A ‘conversion practice’ will be defined in law to be ‘abusive’ if the practice causes either serious harm to a person’s physical or mental health, or serious alarm or distress that substantially affects the person’s day-to-day life. Such abusive practices will be offences in law.”
He said the Catholic Church opposes abuse in all circumstances and so, the bishops recognise that it is important for governments to use appropriate legislation to protect people from harm and abuse. Current legislation, however, already covers such abusive practices and makes them illegal.
“This Bill proposes to extend the legal definition of abusive practices in ways that threaten a person’s fundamental rights, including freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. The legislation will also create uncertainty around lawful pastoral care by the Church, family life and open conversations that can take place in a range of social settings.
“There are clearly a range of scenarios under this proposed legislation in which legal action of various types may be taken against individuals or organisations, including parents of children, who express well-informed opinions and make well-intentioned statements.
“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.
“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.”
Earlier, Christian organisations including the Christian Institute wrote a joint letter to Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, warning that the legislation contains no guarantees that would prevent the prosecution of ordinary Christian ministry, pastoral care, prayer or conversations between parents and children.
In the letter they say, “The definitions of ‘conversion practice’ and ‘abusive’ are vague enough to capture ordinary Christian ministry and parental guidance that has never previously been regarded as criminal, and that does not deserve to be made criminal.”