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Parliament TV
UK News

'You did not invite me in...' MP quotes Bible in challenge to Church

Rachael Maskell recited a section of Matthew 25 in the House of Commons when she asked how church leaders would use their resources to tackle homelessness.

Quoting verses 42 and 43, she said: "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was stranger and you didn't invite me in, I need clothes and you did not clothe me.

"I would like to know how the Church of England will use its estate more to ensure that people have shelter this coming year."

Responding on behalf of the Church of England, Dame Caroline Spelman said the Bible passage "always challenges me", and she pointed to the growing number of churches offering space to rough sleepers on cold winter nights.

She said: "I think the best answer I can possibly give is the growing initiative within the Church for night shelters, and it has been remarkable.

"I've heard it in the news during the recent cold snap how often the Church was mentioned as the place where homeless people could shelter from those cold conditions."

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