Month: June 2023

A.M.D.G.
Ss. Joannis et Pauli Martyrum

It was my very great pleasure to attend the recently held Annual General Meeting of the Family Education Trust, held at the Royal Air Force Club on Piccadilly, London.

The Family Education Trust (FET) is not a Christian charity though many of its members are practising Christians. The Trust sees it’s role as informing, educating, influencing and supporting families, parents and children on issues that affect them. The Trust publishes books, factsheets and leaflets on a broad range of family-related issues. They also publish a newsletter four times a year, which gives information about parliamentary debates, bills going through parliament and recent research findings.

The FET’s materials are used by parliamentarians, local councillors and policymakers, and are a helpful point of reference for supporters when they take up issues with their MP and when they write letters to their local newspapers or take part in radio phone-in discussions. They also produce educational materials and online resources for use in schools that highlight the physical, emotional and social benefits of marriage for stable family life and the welfare of children and young people.

The Trust endeavors to shape public policy discussions based on research evidence through actions. These include actively participating in government consultations and inquiries, engaging in dialogues with government ministers and officials, providing briefings to Members of Parliament and peers, as well as raising important issues in the national press and media. By employing these strategies, the Trust aims to have a substantial impact on the public policy debate and ensure that decisions are informed by reliable research.

Following the Trust’s AGM was a conference with guest speakers including journalist and author, Louise Perry, who spoke on her book, The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, and Harry Miller, a well known champion of the Article 10 ECHR right to freedom of expression and Police overreach, who spoke on Freedom of Speech. Ian Court of Pintsize Theatre Company spoke on Safeguarding in PSHE, (Personal, social, health and economic education) a school curriculum subject in England that focuses on strengthening the knowledge, skills, and connections to keep children and young people healthy and safe and prepare them for life and work. The speakers also led break out sessions to discuss their topics, providing an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and offer observations.

It was wonderful to meet other attendees, some of whom have worked so hard to protect the freedoms and values of our nation. People like Dr Tony Rucinski of the Coalition for Marriage, YouTuber Isla Mac, a retired Principal Lecturer in Nursing, and Mrs Sarah Finch, an Evangelical member of General Synod for the Diocese of London and editor at The Latimer Trust. Over the splendid lunch provided by the RAF Club, I had a very interesting conversation with Mrs Louise Kirk, UK Coordinator for the charity Alive to the World, that provides wholesome PSHE teaching resources and curriculum materials to help schools meet UK Government guidance.

I left the conference feeling very much inspired and full of hope. For despite the many difficulties facing our future generations, manipulated as they are by corporate political corruption a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The conference brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise, all driven by a common goal – to create a better world for our children and grandchildren. The speakers shared their experiences, knowledge, and solutions, igniting a fire within me to take action. It was a reminder that starts with us, that we have the power to challenge the status quo and demand accountability. As I left the conference, I carried with me a renewed sense of determination to be part of the solution, to fight for justice and true equity, and ensure a thriving future for all.

I commend to our clergy and faithful the resources and materials supplied by the charities above which may replace, support or be utilised to ensure the children in our pastoral care may receive a wholesome education in the values our faith and tradition preserve, particularly the inherent dignity and worth of all people, each created and purposed by God for His Will. It is crucial that we instill these values in the children under our care, as they are the future of our communities. By utilizing the resources and materials provided by the aforementioned charities, we can ensure that our clergy and faithful have the necessary tools to educate our children in a wholesome and nurturing environment. This will not only help them grow academically but also spiritually, fostering a strong connection to our faith and enabling them to become responsible and compassionate individuals.