The statement, which has also been sent as a letter to Church of England parishes, appeals to those involved in the election to express facts and opinions with “humility and love”, saying: “People who hold different political views are not our enemies. Two people can look at the same facts and in good faith interpret them very differently. “

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, and Most Rev Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury appear in the film together and present a challenge for people to be aware of the effects of their words.

They also appeal to the prospective parliamentary candidates: “We call on all standing for election to reject the language of prejudice and not to stoke stigma or hatred towards people on the grounds of their religion, their culture, their origin, their identity or their belief. Several groups, especially in Jewish and Muslim communities, feel threatened and are in much anxiety.”

The Labour Party has been criticised for its poor record with removing anti-Semitism from the party, as has Boris Johnson for his comments about Muslim women.

The two most senior clergy in the Church of England continue: “No individual or community in our shared society should have reason to lack confidence in their belonging or security, so parties must make it an absolute priority to offer positive reassurance and avoid anything that increases the…

Saif ul-Malook (pictured above right), who helped get Asia Bibi’s conviction overturned, has told lawyers and academics in London that he is involved with another blasphemy case in Pakistan.

He told a seminar chaired by a London-based barrister that no Christian accused of blasphemy could get a fair trial in Pakistan.

Ms Bibi, a Pakistani, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 after being accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammed after she drank from the same well as Muslim co-workers. She was held for eight years before her conviction was overturned by the Pakistani Supreme Court. She now lives in Canada.

Mr ul-Malook, who is also Pakistani, aired his thoughts at a seminar, staged to discuss freedom of religion in Pakistan and chaired by barrister Zimran Samuel, during a visit to London.

He said that when he took up Ms Bibi’s case no one would help him because they thought they would not be safe in his company.

“Can a Christian accused of blasphemy get a fair trial in Pakistan?” Mr ul-Malook asked.

“The short answer is ‘no’. A big ‘no’.”

He said no one would sit with him when he was working on Ms Bibi’s case and added: “They said, ‘he is going to get killed. Why should we sit with him to be killed?'”

Mr ul-Malook was asked why he was continuing to work in Pakistan when his life was at risk.

He said he wanted to keep helping…

The country is home to around 12 million Catholics – split between the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (PA) and an underground church loyal to the Vatican.

According to Catholic Asia News, Msgr Vincenzo Guo Xijin was held in custody by state agents and blackmailed to join an independent church in exchange for government recognition, without which his ministry would be forbidden.

Underground Catholics contest the “independence” of these state churches and their detachment from the Holy See and the universal Church.

Msgr Guo fled from police custody last week and maintains his refusal to a forced membership to the PA.

Previously, Msgr Guo was the ordinary bishop of the Diocese of Mindong, recognized by the Holy See, but not by the government.

After the Vatican signed a deal with Beijing last year which allowed both parties as say in the ordination of bishops, Msgr Guo accepted a demotion to auxiliary bishop.

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Bishop Rose said: “Beginning this new ministry, there is a sense of awe in it all. But also something refreshing about being open to the new things that God has in store – not just for me as a person taking on this new leadership role, but for our diocese as a whole. I’m excited – I’ve got lots of new people to meet, to get to know, and that fills me with joy.”

The Bishop of Dover is the suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Canterbury and holds additional delegated responsibilities for oversight of the diocese. Rt Rev Rose succeeds the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott who retired as Bishop of Dover in May this year. She will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral on 30th November.

Welcoming Bishop Rose’s appointment into his diocese, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “When in October Rose stepped down as Chaplain to the Speaker, the tributes from all sides showed her pastoral, prophetic and faith sharing gifts. Even in times of division she was a point of unity and hope, to those of any or no faith.

“Through much struggle and suffering in her life she has become one of the most exceptional of Christian leaders showing, in word and deed, confidence in Jesus Christ as life, liberty and love. We welcome her, warmly confident that God who has led her this far will walk with her and speak through her.”

Delivering the…