News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Catholics-for-labour-main_article_image.jpg
Catholics for Labour Twitter
UK News

Catholics for Labour aims to bring Christian voice to parliament

by Tola Mbakwe

He explained that's why he joined the new Catholics for Labour group that was launched at the Labour Party Conference this week.

He said the group aims to apply Catholic social teaching to public policy and meets for mass on Wednesdays.

"We have joint meetings and discussion on some of the most unbelievably contentious issues, like pro-life issues, to see if we can somehow arrive at some sort of way of living the Gospel in parliament," he said.

The MP for Ealing North said the Church's teaching on the poor, refugees and war needs to be brought to the forefront in the Labour party.

He said: "Christ's message has never ever been more relevant than it is today.
 
"There's never been a time where this country and world has been crying out for that message more than it is at the moment.

"For too long we've just said, 'oh this is a Christian country'.

"I'm perfectly fine with having a multi-faith [parliament] but there has to be a strong voice for Christ within parliament otherwise frankly we're just wasting our time."

Pound also addressed concerns of the group being too sectarian by using "Catholics" and not "Christians" for the group's name.

He told Premier that wasn't the intention.

"Catholics are one of the few groups that have been totally discriminated within parliament," he said.

"It was only in the 1830s that Catholics were even allowed into parliament. That hasn't happened to Jews, it's not happened to non-conformists, it's not happened to Anglicans.

"It's not just that sort of historical significance, but also because Catholic social teaching is absolutely crucial in the way we need to go forward."

When asked what the feedback on the group is like, he said it's been mixed.

He told Premier 150 people attended the group's mass in Brighton on the first day of the Labour Conference, but it has been the subject of some snide jokes within the party.

However, Pound sees it as an opportunity to stand up for his faith.

He said: "In some ways it's sort of a good thing.

"If people are sort of subliminally saying 'those Christians are all barking mad', now we're challenging them saying 'here we are, this is what I do, this is what I believe in, let's talk about it, let's see where you differ' and more often than not they'll see the message applies to so many of us and people resonate with that."

Founders of the group include Mike Kane, Jon Cruddas, Keith Vaz, David Crausby, Emma Lewell-Buck and Conor McGinn.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate