The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, initiated a debate in the House of Lords on Friday ( 9 December) on the situation of Christians in the Middle East.
The Archbishop was joined by around 80 peers, who stayed to listen to the whole debate with around 30 members discussing the situation facing the Christian population in the Middle East. The opening and closing remarks from the Archbishop can be found below along with contributions made by the Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, and the Rt Revd John Hind, Bishop of Chichester.
Other notable contributions came from Lord Parekh, Lord Patten, Lord Carey, Lord Popat, Lord Boateng, Baroness Butler Sloss, Baroness Morris of Bolton and Baroness Cox: these can all be read by following the links below.
The Minister responding for the Government, Lord Howell of Guildford, and the Shadow Minister, Lord Wood of Anfield, were both supportive of the debate and commented on points made by all contributors, including the Archbishop.
All the comments made by the Bishops and ministers are set out in a pdf, and may be seen in context at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0001.htm#11120956000205; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0001.htm#11120956000194; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0001.htm#11120957000200; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0001.htm#11120957000210; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0002.htm#11120957000214; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0002.htm#11120957000215; and http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111209-0002.htm#11120957000216 respectively.