Be respectful even in heat of General Election debate, say church leaders

be respectful even in heat of general election debate, say church leaders

Queen Elizabeth II death

A plea for respect and kindness “even in the heat of the debate” has been made by Church of England leaders after a General Election was called.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell spoke of the “epic challenges” facing the country and wider world, including war, peace, poverty and injustice.

But they urged that “no matter how big the issues” at stake over the coming weeks, the upcoming period should be “a time marked by respect for one another, for good grace and a commitment to truth and integrity”.

It is our prayer that, even in the heat of the debate, we will treat each other with respect and kindness

Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell

In a joint statement following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s speech on Downing Street announcing that an election will be held on July 4, they said this is a “critical moment in the life of our nation, which will shape our future by electing those who will make decisions affecting generations to come”.

They said: “It is a time for us all – people of all faiths and of none – to ask important questions about what kind of country we want to be.

“We are facing epic challenges both in our country and our world: from questions of war and peace, to poverty and injustice and very future of the Earth God has given us.

“Faced with such huge questions, our instinct as Christians is to turn to God in prayer and so we want to put prayer at the very heart of this campaign.

“We are therefore inviting everyone who is willing to dedicate the next few weeks as a time not just to think about the big questions but to pray for our nation and our world.

“And we want to invite everyone to think about how we all can play our part both as voters and, more broadly, as citizens.”

Calling for the debate to be civil, they added: “It is our prayer that, even in the heat of the debate, we will treat each other with respect and kindness.

“And we give thanks for the dedication of all who stand for public office in service of our communities – often at great personal cost – and those who support the process.”

Mr Welby has been outspoken on the issue of child poverty, having previously called for an end to the “cruel” two-child benefit cap.

At the weekend he said the limit is “neither moral nor necessary” and “falls short of our values as a society”.

But while shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said he welcomed the Archbishop’s intervention, he added that Labour could not promise to scrap the policy without being able to set out how to pay for it.

The cap, which was introduced in 2017, restricts Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to the first two children in most households.

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap, by LIZ ROWLINSON

17 minutes ago

New pair of giant pandas for Adelaide Zoo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni to return to China by end of year

17 minutes ago

Glee star Darren Criss is trolled by fans over his newborn son's VERY unique name

17 minutes ago

'I woke screaming in agony': New mothers reveal how they were sent home with only paracetamol after traumatic births - despite begging for morphine. And how staff callously replied: 'You've just had a baby, what did you expect?'

17 minutes ago

Michael Mosley's life-changing tips on how you can sleep more soundly and pep up your love life

17 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap, by LIZ ROWLINSON

20 minutes ago

Nine people, including two children, injured in seemingly random shooting at Michigan splash pad

20 minutes ago

Ruto’s US visit is not a detachment from China

21 minutes ago

Professional Faqs: Can You Take Basil In Liquid Form?

22 minutes ago

Desperate search is launched for missing sailor after boat overturned off Lady Elliot Island leaving his two passengers clinging to the side

25 minutes ago

150,000-per-week star now wants to leave Aston Villa with Jhon Duran

25 minutes ago

Australian Paralympic swim team announced

25 minutes ago

Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg collapse on 13, kiss U.S. Open chances goodbye

26 minutes ago

Injury to keep All Blacks forward Taukei'aho out of Super Rugby final

27 minutes ago

Labour would improve paternity leave rights amid ‘cultural shift’ – Rayner

27 minutes ago

Anti-Israel protests surround Biden’s star-studded campaign fundraiser in LA

30 minutes ago

Chargers News: Justin Herbert Updates Fans Post-Surgery

30 minutes ago

Was The Excelsior Tank Any Good, & How Many Were Actually Made?

33 minutes ago

Singapore rushes to clean-up oil slick after boat hits stationary fuel supply ship

33 minutes ago

Aussies’ wild act at Antractic station

33 minutes ago

Then and now: what Peter Dutton and the Coalition used to say about a 2030 emissions target

33 minutes ago

Every Israeli, including both Jews and Arabs, is equal in life and death

33 minutes ago

Gretchen Walsh destroys world record in women’s 100m fly at U.S. Olympic swim trials

33 minutes ago

#Cannes2024: TBWAHuntLascaris, Joe Public and Promise named in Cannes shortlists released

33 minutes ago

‘Twists and turns’ in Australia-China ties are over, Li Qiang says – but Penny Wong highlights tensions

33 minutes ago

Why everyone is talking about this old beach shack in quiet coastal town: 'Truly magnificent'

38 minutes ago

I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer at 38 after one tell-tale symptom. I danced my way through chemo with my dad by my side - and then he had a heart attack

39 minutes ago

Dolphins fans show support for head coach McDaniel!

40 minutes ago

Body camera video shows Illinois police officer help snapping turtle cross street safely

41 minutes ago

‘Selling Sunset’s Jason Oppenheim Not Opposed To Christine Quinn Returning To Netflix Series: “I Think Everyone Deserves A Second Chance”

44 minutes ago

Farmers scrambling after record-breaking weather destroys crop used by top chefs around the world: 'I don't know what to do'

44 minutes ago

Saudi King, Crown Prince Receive Cables of Congratulations from Leaders of Islamic Countries on Eid Al-Adha

44 minutes ago

Snoop Dogg matches in pink with his high school sweetheart Shante Broadus as they celebrate 27 years of marriage

44 minutes ago

Video: Kim Kardashian shows off her curves in a fitted outfit as daughter North West sports custom pajamas while celebrating her 11th birthday in NYC

44 minutes ago

Hit Man's Wild Sex Scenes Were Sticky But Not 'Icky' Thanks To ... Pinterest?

44 minutes ago

Top ISIS leader in Somalia was target of US airstrike

44 minutes ago

Wings' Ogunbowale: 'Politics' involved in Olympics selection

44 minutes ago

Bryson DeChambeau enters US Open final round with three-shot lead

50 minutes ago

Edmonton Oilers force Game 5 in Cup Final with 8-1 rout

50 minutes ago

'Incredible moment' Campbell's rivals honoured retiring great