Category: Appeals

Read more about the Archbishop’s efforts to relieve the poverty and suffering of others and further the mission of the Church in our world…

Help Stop Harmful Puberty Blocker Clinical Trials

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Endorsement of the CitizenGO Petition: Stand with Keira and James – Help Stop Harmful Puberty Blocker Clinical Trials

I feel compelled to speak on behalf of the most vulnerable among us—our children. In light of the UK government’s recent decision to ban puberty blockers for individuals under 18 due to “unacceptable safety risks,” it is deeply troubling that the NHS intends to proceed with a £10.7 million clinical trial on these very same drugs¹.

This trial, set to run until 2031 under the oversight of King’s College London, comes despite clear medical and ethical concerns raised by leading experts, including those involved in the Cass Review². These drugs, once heralded as a harmless pause on development, are now acknowledged to carry significant, irreversible risks—especially to cognitive and physical maturation³.

The Scientific and Medical Concerns
The use of puberty blockers in children with gender dysphoria is not supported by robust, long-term scientific evidence. The Cass Review, an independent inquiry led by Dr. Hilary Cass, found that the available studies on puberty blockers were of “very low certainty” and that the risks outweighed the unproven benefits⁴. Among the most pressing concerns are:

  • Cognitive Development: Puberty is a critical period for brain maturation. Research suggests that halting this process may have detrimental effects on memory, executive function, and emotional regulation. A 2020 study found that children on puberty blockers showed decreased IQ scores, possibly due to the impact on brain plasticity⁵.
  • Bone Density Loss: Puberty is essential for bone mineralization. Studies have shown that children placed on puberty blockers experience significantly lower bone density than their peers, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life⁶.
  • Fertility and Sexual Function: The long-term consequences of halting natural puberty on fertility and sexual function are not well understood. However, evidence suggests that children who progress to cross-sex hormones after puberty blockers may face irreversible sterility⁷.
  • Psychological Outcomes: Proponents of puberty blockers argue that they reduce distress in gender-dysphoric youth, yet the evidence is inconclusive. In fact, studies have shown that many young people’s gender dysphoria resolves naturally if puberty is allowed to proceed. Blocking this process may reinforce distress rather than alleviate it⁸.

The UK government’s decision to ban these drugs was based on the assessment of the Commission on Human Medicines, which found that the safety profile of puberty blockers does not justify their continued use⁹. The notion that an NHS clinical trial will provide clarity is misleading—existing evidence already raises significant alarm, and ethical considerations make further experimentation on children unacceptable.

A Pastoral and Moral Duty
Keira Bell’s courageous testimony, alongside that of James Esses, has already demonstrated the tragic consequences of prematurely medicalizing gender dysphoria. Their voices, and those of countless others who have suffered under ideologically driven policies, must not go unheard. It is unconscionable to proceed with clinical trials that will place more young lives at risk in pursuit of an agenda that prioritizes political expediency over scientific caution¹⁰.

For several years, I have raised my voice against the dangers of medicalizing gender dysphoria, particularly among children. In 2021, alongside over 2,500 Christian ministers and pastoral workers, I signed an open letter to the Secretary of State warning against irreversible interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries¹¹. That letter reaffirmed our Christian duty to guide young people toward accepting their natural, God-given bodies rather than leading them down a path of lifelong medical dependency and regret. This commitment to truth and pastoral care has remained a cornerstone of my ministry.

Advocacy for Supporting Families
In addition to these efforts, I have been actively involved in supporting families navigating the challenges posed by ideologically driven educational materials. As a co-founder of PSHEbrighton, I have worked to provide a platform for families to voice their concerns, seek advice, and collaborate in advocating for comprehensive and factually accurate Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education¹².

In 2024, legal experts, including Karon Monaghan KC, reviewed Brighton and Hove City Council’s Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit and raised concerns about its legal robustness. The review indicated that the toolkit might be in breach of equality laws and could potentially violate the rights of young people, thereby exposing public authorities to legal challenges¹³.

Despite these well-founded criticisms, the council proceeded without adequately addressing the issues raised. Such actions exemplify the dangers of allowing ideology to override the best interests of children and the rule of law.

A Call to Action
Therefore, I strongly endorse CitizenGO’s petition to halt these harmful trials and urge all people of goodwill—especially those entrusted with the safeguarding of children—to lend their support. By signing this petition, we send a clear message: children deserve protection, not experimentation. Let us stand together for the safety, dignity, and well-being of the young, resisting dangerous medical interventions that history may well judge as a grave moral failing.

May God grant us the wisdom and courage to uphold the truth.

✠Jerome Seleisi
Titular Archbishop of Selsey

Click the logo to sign the petition
  1. The Times, “Puberty blockers banned because of ‘unacceptable safety risks'” (2024).
  2. The Times, “NHS to launch £10.7 million trial of puberty blockers” (2024).
  3. Cass Review, Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (2024).
  4. Ibid.
  5. Biggs, Michael. “The Tavistock’s Experiment with Puberty Blockers,” Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (2020).
  6. Klink et al., “Bone Mass in Young Adulthood Following Puberty Suppression,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2015).
  7. Hembree et al., “Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2017).
  8. Singh et al., “A Follow-Up Study of Boys with Gender Identity Disorder,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2021).
  9. The Times, “Commission on Human Medicines advises against puberty blockers” (2024).
  10. Bell v. Tavistock, UK High Court Judgment (2020).
  11. Ministers Consultation Response, “Letter to the Secretary of State Opposing Gender Ideology in Law” (2021).
  12. PSHEbrighton, Supporting Families through Honest and Evidence-Based Education (2024).
  13. The Guardian, “Schools Using Gender Toolkit Risk Being Sued, Say Legal Experts” (2024).

SatanCon: call to prayer

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The Satanic Temple expects its second annual convention — held in Boston this weekend, and dedicated to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu — to be the largest gathering of Satanists. The Satanic Temple, headquartered in Salem, is organizing the sold-out SatanCon at Marriott Copley Place April 28-30; it promises to bring a lineup of panels, entertainment, and a “Satanic Marketplace.”

Satanists believe in something — a rebellion against God, usually because they’ve been deeply hurt, wounded by someone in authority, or they’ve allowed dangerous portals to be opened due to poor choices or naivete. But they are ALL God’s children. God doesn’t look at them and only see the costumes, the makeup, their desperate attempts to rebel; He looks at them instead as His children who need to know how very deeply valued and loved they truly are.

Please join Christians around the world in prayer, hoping God will enable the participants themselves to see through the superficiality of the worldly happiness they seek, and come to know true love, true religion and the true God Who loves them more than they will ever love themselves.

+Jerome Seleisi

UPDATE: Tagapo Mission Chapel Restoration Project

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The Old Roman Mission Chapel of St Dominic, Rizal Blvd, Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines

Update

We are incredibly delighted to report that renovations of the Chapel have successfully begun, thanks to the generosity of initial benefactors! The roof and ceiling are almost complete, and work has begun on the reordering of the sanctuary. To see the need and scale of the works and what has already been achieved, scroll down for ‘before’ and ‘transformation’ photos.

The restoration of this chapel is a vital undertaking for our community. Without the help from generous benefactors, we would not be able to provide a safe and secure environment for regular worshiping. However, we still need funds to achieve our goal and complete the project! The first phase is proceeding at a pace, and it is hoped will be completed by the time of the Archbishop’s visitation. But there is still some way to go to finish the project, so we are appealing to anyone who can help us reach our target – whether it’s donating money or sharing this campaign with as many people as possible – so that this vital renovation can be completed!

Before…

The old Chapel has been in an awful state for quite some time. Years of neglect have taken their toll on the building, leaving it in dire need of repairs and general restoration. Every Sunday, the members of the congregation who gather to celebrate the traditional Mass hardly notice the broken roof tiles, the flaking paint, the faulty wiring, or the crumbling plaster. To them, it is more than just a building; it is a place of refuge, a sacred sanctuary that reminds them of their faith and the love of God.

But now, the Chapel needs help. Its roof needs to be replaced, its electrical system needs to be repaired, its plaster needs to be patched up, and its walls and statues need a fresh coat of paint. Furthermore, the sanctuary needs to be completely renovated and a new altar and gradine need to be installed.

The transformation begins…

The first stage of the renovation is well underway! The roof has been repaired and a ceiling put up and with the electrics addressed new lighting has been installed. The sanctuary has been prepared for a new reredos and gradine, and already a new crucifix adorns the east wall where a new altar will soon be placed. This initial stage should be completed end of January, though we are short some 20’000 pesos to complete it (approx $400/£300).

The second stage involves repairing the choir balcony, west windows and renovating the sacristy, priest’s room and metal grills.

Become a Benefactor today…

Being a benefactor is more than just donating money, it’s about making a difference in the lives of others. As a benefactor, you are able to help with the renovation and restoration of vital community buildings, such as this chapel. With generous contributions from benefactors like yourself, funds can be raised for this essential project that will have a positive impact on the people of Tagapo.

The benefits of being a benefactor are immense. You get the satisfaction of knowing that your donations are going towards something truly valuable and beneficial to the community. Your efforts could bring about much-needed change in areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructure. Further, by being a benefactor you can inspire others to join in this noble cause and have an even greater impact.

You can also take pride in the fact that your donations will make an impact on future generations. The funds raised by benefactors like yourself will go towards maintaining existing structures as well as building new ones, thus ensuring that future generations can benefit too. An active chapel next to a maternity hospital means baptisms! It means hope! It means a community centre for the distribution of food and healthcare! It means a safe place for youth! It means a place to offer thanksgiving!

Being a benefactor is not just an opportunity to do something good, but also to be part of something bigger and more meaningful.

Click below to make a safe and secure donation to this appeal!

Winter Homeless Appeal 2022

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Individuals living without a home face huge obstacles to attend to their personal hygiene, such as minimal access to showers, laundry, and hand-washing facilities. The impediments to personal hygiene associated with homelessness could raise the risk of catching infectious diseases, yet there is only a small focus on hygiene-related activities among the homeless.

Due to the COVID situation, it has become harder for those on the streets, as services intended to provide homeless people with facilities have had to close down or drastically reduce their activities; some have been unable to continue at all. For Brighton & Hove, the only provider of regular showering and washing facilities for the homeless is the emergency night shelter.

This year, the Archbishop is lending his help to the emergency night shelter to serve the homeless of the city a hot meal and a warm place to stay during winter. In addition to thick socks, His Grace is also eager to give out items required for personal hygiene e.g., toiletries, sanitiser, change of underwear and particularly women’s health items such as sanitary towels and fresh wipes. These items are often overlooked. Funding for such items is seldom available.

Please help the Archbishop to help others by way of a donation so that necessary personal hygiene items can be purchased wholesale and distributed to those who need them most.

DONATIONS

If you’d like to donate through a faith based crowd giving platform, receive updates about the campaign and leave a prayer request or intention; click below.

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Winter Appeal Donation

A donation toward the purchase of personal hygiene items for distribution to the homeless of Brighton and Hove, UK.

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REGULAR OR ONE-OFF GENERAL DONATIONS

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Tagapo Mission Chapel Restoration Project

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The Old Roman Mission Chapel of St Dominic, Rizal Blvd, Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines

The old Chapel has been in an awful state for quite some time. Years of neglect have taken their toll on the building, leaving it in dire need of repairs and general restoration. Every Sunday, the members of the congregation who gather to celebrate the traditional Mass hardly notice the broken roof tiles, the flaking paint, the faulty wiring, or the crumbling plaster. To them, it is more than just a building; it is a place of refuge, a sacred sanctuary that reminds them of their faith and the love of God.

But now, the Chapel needs help. Its roof needs to be replaced, its electrical system needs to be repaired, its plaster needs to be patched up, and its walls and statues need a fresh coat of paint. Furthermore, the sanctuary needs to be completely renovated and a new altar and gradine need to be installed.

However, the congregation have one major problem—they simply don’t have the funds to pay for all the repairs and restoration. The Chapel is more than just a place to celebrate Mass; it also serves as a focal point for local poverty relief activities and a chaplaincy for the Marian Hospital next door. It is essential to the community, yet the congregation are unable to cover the expenses.

And so, the congregation pray for a miracle—for a way to repair and restore the Chapel matching the limited funds from their collection plate. Their prayers have already been partially answered by a generous anonymous benefactor and initial repairs have begun. But more is needed, especially if the Chapel is to be re-dedicated by Archbishop Jerome of Selsey (UK) during his visitation in February 2023.

We would be grateful if you would show your support for this devoted religious community by giving a gift, regardless of the amount. The people who donate will be acknowledged with a prayer of thanks, and if the gift is made in memory of someone, their name will be written in a Chantry book for an annual commemoration during the months of the holy souls in November.

Click below to make a safe and secure donation to this appeal!

Soup & socks!

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A new homeless project in Brighton & Hove, “Soup & socks” will be tackling food poverty and serving the homeless of the city four nights a week throughout winter. The Archbishop will be joining volunteers to cook and serve hot food and drinks and give away donated items of winter wear, particularly socks as those sleeping rough in the damp winter weather are prone to contracting Trench foot and associated complications due to general poor health and nutrition.

“Soup & socks” has been made possible through networking by trustees and volunteers of Brighton & Hove Faith in Action of which the Archbishop is chair; is being hosted at The Friend’s Meeting House (The Quakers) in the centre of the city and coordinated by The Ethicurean Guild a professional kitchen franchise that took on voluntary cooking during the lockdown for emergency homeless accommodation. The Ethicurean Guild has taken up the mantle of Cherubs Kitchen which the Archbishop founded six years ago, and is training and employing homeless apprentices. The project will be plugging a gap in winter food provision for those sleeping rough which has been severely affected by lockdown restrictions.

Since the lockdowns, support services for the homeless have been seriously affected such that many of the usual providers are no longer able to operate as the restrictions and limitations required by Government prevent them from operating. For example, The Hub homeless drop in which the Archbishop co-founded twelve years ago with ecumenical partners the Salvation Army, hasn’t been able to operate at all since the first lockdown in March of 2020. This has been due in part to the restrictions on communal gatherings and spaces, the shielding age of the volunteers and the limitations of the project and venue itself to be utilised in a safe and sanitised way consistent with the regulations.

The Hub is not the only homeless project to be affected, the SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul) daily soup run hasn’t been able to operate at all, neither has the local Muslim charity Deen Relief been able to operate its homeless support effort. In fact only three of the city’s previously half-dozen homeless food projects serving food directly to people sleeping rough have been able to run since March. However, other projects have provided food to those of the street community who qualified and accepted emergency accommodation during the lockdowns and these continue still to support those fortunate to retain such accommodation following the ease on restrictions.

As chair of the city’s Faith Council, the Archbishop hosted weekly Zoom meetings between Faith groups, the Police, the City Council and other health and civic statutory agencies including Public Health England to disseminate accurate information, messages, coordinate and partner efforts tackling food poverty, isolation and loneliness, support and signpost befriending schemes and interpret the Government’s various guidance for religious venues and public worship restrictions. Supporting the hospital chaplaincy team covering three sites, arranging authorised letters for clergy and volunteers to undertake relief activities and provide signposting and support for those addressing pastoral situations ranging from dealing with isolated congregation members through to domestic abuse and suicidal ideation. These meetings fed into other coordinated efforts across the city like the Emergency Food Network where Faith groups were offering food, to cook food, deliver food and provide befriending services to the lonely and vulnerable.

Food poverty in Brighton and Hove was an issue even prior to COVID, 21 emergency food providers were giving out on average 420 food parcels per week = 21,000 per year across the city. In a citywide survey (2018 Brighton & Hove City Tracker Survey) 1 in 5 people said they did not have enough money to meet their basic living costs, including food. Throughout the lockdowns these figures and the reliance upon providers has grown exponentially and the voluntary sector’s Emergency Food Network (EFN) went from 21 member organisations to 50, plus 10 meal providers. EFN meetings in the months following March 2020 took place online fortnightly, providing a vital source of up-to-date information and support, coordinating distribution efforts by charities and statutory agencies. Faith venues were among the main providers of both community hub venues and food production centres from which volunteers delivered food across the city.

The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership set up a central food processing hub where wholesale purchased food and surplus food was organised and distributed by a team of volunteers to food banks and meal projects. Food purchased included locally-sourced fruit, veg and milk bought direct from producers via a newly established social enterprise, the Food Factory. This central hub supported a citywide network of 50 neighbourhood food hubs made up of existing food banks and shared-meal settings, plus new temporary food hubs based out of a range of community venues. Most operated as a home delivery service with local volunteers taking food from the hubs the ‘last mile’ to people’s doors. These included specialist BAME, homeless support and older people’s projects, and a specialist provision for families with children under five provided by BHCC’s children’s centre service. The value of this ‘hyper-local’ support was that the volunteers delivering the food were local people trusted by those receiving the food and other support such as befriending a and collection of medicines could be arranged.

All these services are still needed post-lockdown as many more people have become impoverished through loss of income, occupation or even homes and the number of people living on the street has risen rather than fallen as a direct result of the effect on the economy. The Archbishop will continue to chair Faith Council meetings fortnightly going forward to keep the momentum, coordination and dissemination of information to Faith groups. He attends the Council’s weekly Citywide Leaders COVID Meeting chaired by the Leader of the Council and attended by community leaders, the city’s three MP’s, and statutory and voluntary sector partners to receive the Director of Public Health’s updates and to share news and information on the ongoing impact and response to the situation.