World-heritage status for Northern Irish Moravian church
THE Gracehill Moravian Church settlement in Co. Antrim, founded in 1759, has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. It was nominated as part of a transnational effort led by the United States to achieve World Heritage Status for Moravian Church settlements founded in the 18th century, alongside other sites in Herrnhut, Germany, and Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania. A congregation continues Moravian traditions at the site.
Bill seeks to extend women’s fast track into the Lords
A NEW Bill, the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill, will extend rules aimed at increasing the number of women bishops in the House of Lords. Requested by church authorities, it will ensure that vacant seats are filled by women bishops if an eligible female diocesan bishop is available. There are exceptions for the five sees — Canterbury, York, London, Durham, and Winchester — that carry an automatic entitlement to a seat in the Lords. To date, six women bishops have been enabled to sit in the Lords since the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 came into force (News, 23 January 2015). The original legislation is due to expire in May 2025; the proposed extension is to May 2030.
Tribunal dismisses theology lecturer’s case
AN EMPLOYMENT tribunal has dismissed all the claims against Cliff College brought by Dr Aaron Edwards, a theology lecturer who alleged that the college had threatened him with referral to the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme after he criticised views within the Church of England on homosexuality. Represented by the Christian Legal Centre, he sought damages for unfair dismissal and compensation under the Equality Act 2010 (News, 1 December 2023). The decision was welcomed in a statement by Cliff College, which also said: “We wish Dr Edwards and his family well for the future, as we all move on from this long and involved process.”
Values and benefits feature in episcopal legislation
TWO bishops’ Bills are among the first 25 private members’ Bills scheduled to be introduced in the House. Lord Harries’s Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill was introduced on Tuesday. Among its provisions is a requirement that references to British values in the education system include “freedom of thought, conscience and religion”. Scheduled for 10 September is the Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill from the Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker. This would bring the rate of Universal Credit for care-leavers under 25 into line with the rate for over-25s.