The Episcopal Conference of England and Wales has defended its work in favor of life, religious freedom, and human dignity after Amnesty International UK included it in a report identifying various organizations as part of the so-called “anti-rights” movement. The response was sent to LifeSiteNews, the outlet that requested the bishops’ assessment following the document’s publication.
The Amnesty International report, titled A growing threat: the anti-rights movement in the UK, placed the Episcopal Conference alongside other pro-life entities, Christian organizations, and groups critical of gender ideology. The document was later removed from the organization’s website.
“The Church works to defend the rights granted by God”
In its response, the Episcopal Conference rejected Amnesty International’s characterization and affirmed that its actions are grounded in the defense of every person’s dignity.
“The Catholic Church works to defend the rights granted by God to all humanity, without exception.”
The bishops noted that this commitment includes “the rights of those unjustly imprisoned, of refugees and migrants, of victims of trafficking, and the right to life of all persons from conception until natural death.”
They also recalled that the Church defends freedom of religion, conscience, and expression, citing the conciliar declaration Dignitatis humanae.
“Our conviction about the dignity of every person, from which a correct understanding of human rights derives, inspires all our work in the field of social justice in England and Wales.”
The report questions pro-life organizations and defenders of traditional marriage
Amnesty International’s document included the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales alongside the Catholic Herald, Right to Life UK, Centre for Bioethical Reform UK, and other pro-life and Christian organizations.
According to the report, these entities would form part of a movement opposed to certain rights by defending the protection of prenatal life, marriage between a man and a woman, or positions critical of gender ideology.
The text also expressed concern over what it described as a rollback in the protection of so-called “LGBT+ rights” and the growth in the United Kingdom of organizations critical of gender self-determination.
Furthermore, it proposed that the groups listed lose their status as officially recognized charitable entities.
The response of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales insists that this defense of life is part of a broader conception of human rights, which also encompasses the protection of the most vulnerable and freedom of conscience and religion.