"At the time when there is an increasing recognition of the essential role of Churches and faith groups in terms of community cohesion and development, we urge Government to adopt a ‘joined up’ approach rather than offer us partnership with one hand and attempt to cripple us with the other."
Faithworks Founder, Rev Steve Chalke
Through its ‘Keep the Faith’ petition Faithworks has called on the Government to ensure that the new employment legislation does not undermine the effectiveness of the work of Churches and faith-based groups by restricting their freedom to employ those who share their faith. Faithworks Founder Steve Chalke, along with other Faithworks representatives, met today (March 10th) with Barbara Roche, the Minister responsible for implementing the EU legislation, in order to express these concerns and submit the petition, signed by over 16,600 Church leaders and members.
Faithworks is concerned that the legislation, a European Equal Treatment Directive currently undergoing consultation for implementation in the UK, will disregard the central place of faith within the work of faith-based groups, thus removing their motivation and main reason for success. As a member of Faithworks Council of Reference, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, shares this concern:
"Faith is the motivation for so much useful work done by a host of voluntary agencies. To exclude this dimension of life in employment policies is to risk undermining the effectiveness of faith-based educational and social agencies."
Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London
The meeting with Ms Roche follows on from Faithworks’ submission of its considered response to the Department of Trade & Industry on January 24th. In this response, Faithworks expressed concerns over what guidelines the Government would give churches and Christian groups for justifying the employment of people of their faith in compliance with the Equal Treatment Directive. Faithworks has called for any legislation to recognise that individual faith is always the driving force behind the work of faith-based organisations and that demoting the significance of their faith would lead to diminishing the effectiveness of their work.
Ms Roche, Minister of State within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, welcomed Faithworks’ "very constructive engagement" with the consultation process and assured Rev Chalke that "we will want to continue to work with you in the future".
- ENDS -
1 "You do this because of your faith, not in isolation from it, a point that government – central and local – must always appreciate."
Prime Minister Tony Blair
"This Government has made two commitments. One is to look at how we consult and work with faith communities, including their representation at – and involvement in – community and state events. The other is to enable faith communities to contribute to the wider active community."
Home Secretary David Blunkett
