The Church of England has raised concerns over a proposed United Kingdom law banning conversion practices, warning that parents could face criminal prosecution for prayers and conversations about their children’s sexuality and gender identity.
The proposed Conversion Practices Bill seeks to make it a criminal offence to attempt to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, with offenders facing up to five years in prison.
However, the Anglican Church fears that the legislation, if passed in its current form, could extend beyond abusive practices and criminalise legitimate prayers, pastoral care and family discussions.
According to The Telegraph, the Church of England plans to present its concerns to Members of Parliament and peers examining the proposed legislation.
A spokesman for the church said everyone should be cherished regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but insisted that the law must protect religious activities and voluntary conversations.
The church recalled that its General Synod voted overwhelmingly in 2017 to urge the government to ban conversion therapy relating to sexual orientation.
It, however, warned that the proposed legislation must not unintentionally criminalise appropriate prayer and pastoral support sought by individuals.
The spokesman stressed that religious care should never be coercive, adding that legislation should target abuses of power while allowing room for discussions and disagreements.
The proposed law has also drawn opposition from Catholic leaders, who warned that it could expose parents and religious leaders to legal action over well-intentioned conversations.
The Archbishop of Liverpool, John Sherrington, said existing laws already criminalised abusive practices, questioning the need for legislation that could create uncertainty around family life and lawful pastoral care.
He urged politicians to abandon the bill and concentrate on enforcing existing protections and providing support for people facing abuse or coercion.
Similarly, Bishop Brian McGee, vice-president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, warned that the proposal could interfere with ordinary family life, religious teaching and pastoral conversations.
The Christian Institute also raised concerns, with its deputy director, Simon Calvert, warning that the bill could expose parents’ prayers for their children to police investigation.
Calvert argued that the proposed legislation could make legitimate religious expressions vulnerable to criminal investigations by requiring authorities to examine people’s intentions and beliefs.
The debate intensified after Jayne Ozanne, a gay evangelical Christian and founder of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, told a parliamentary committee that she had been traumatised by people praying for her to become heterosexual.
She argued that prayers specifically intended to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity should be prohibited, including those offered within families.
Ozanne maintained that there was a difference between praying for someone to find peace and praying for them to become heterosexual.
The UK government has defended the proposed legislation, insisting that it is designed to protect LGBT+ people from coercion and abuse without undermining freedom of expression or religious beliefs.
A government spokesman said the draft bill contained safeguards intended to protect legitimate religious discussions and expressions of belief.
The proposed legislation applies to England and Wales and is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint parliamentary committee. It has not yet become law.
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