Catholic Church in England and Wales voices concern over conversion therapy ban

The Catholic Church in England and Wales has formally expressed serious concern regarding proposed legislation to ban conversion practices. Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool stated that while the Church opposes abusive practices, it believes existing laws are already sufficient. He argued that the current bill is overly broad and poses a significant threat to religious freedom, freedom of expression, and the ability of clergy to provide pastoral care.

Legislative efforts to ban conversion practices are currently underway in Westminster and Northern Ireland. The Westminster bill is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny, with a report expected in January. Meanwhile, proposals in Northern Ireland remain at the committee stage, though some observers suggest the initiative may face significant obstacles following a public consultation that revealed substantial opposition. Church leaders emphasize that the proposed measures could create legal uncertainty for families and restrict the ability of believers to engage in open conversations about their faith.