Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Osamor Excerpts

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (Lab/Co-op)]

1. What steps the Church of England is taking to support Christians in Palestine.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Marsha De Cordova)]

The Church remains steadfast in its support for Palestinians. The Bishops of Southwark, Gloucester, Chelmsford and Norwich have publicly highlighted their concerns by condemning the increased settler violence and calling for the reopening of holy places. They have joined His Holiness the Pope and the local heads of Churches, who have called for the protection of innocent civilians. They are offering sanctuary, working for peace and reconciliation, and building intercommunity trust.

[Kate Osamor]

I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. For the first time in centuries, Catholic leaders were prohibited from entering the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate a private mass on Palm Sunday. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem called this a

“manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure.”

In the light of this incident, what concrete steps will the Church take to ensure that Christians and other religious groups are able to worship freely in Jerusalem?

[Marsha De Cordova]

The closure of the Holy Sepulchre by the Israeli Government was totally unacceptable. It was an unprecedented step, and representations by all Churches were made at the highest level. The treatment of pilgrims and worshippers by the Israel Defence Forces, and the additional movement restrictions across both western and Orthodox Easter, were deplorable, particularly in what is the holiest of weeks.

--- Later in debate ---

[Marsha De Cordova]

It is good to see my hon. Friend back in his place after his injury. I understand that he was running with his children when it happened.

[Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (Lab/Co-op)]

Blame the kids!

[Marsha De Cordova]

He couldn’t keep up with his children, obviously! [Laughter.] Apologies, Mr Speaker.

The new places of worship renewal fund will be managed by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The fund totals £92 million over four years and will support capital repairs to listed places of worship. Priority will be given to buildings in areas of high deprivation or community need. Applications are expected to start with an expression of interest, followed by a full application, with efforts made to minimise administrative burdens on smaller parishes.