6. Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: Marking Interfaith Week

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:10 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 6:10, 17 November 2020

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I thank you, Minister, for your statement? I'm absolutely delighted that you're making a statement to mark Interfaith Week, and I very much hope that this will become an annual fixture on the Welsh Government's business in Plenary. As you've said, there has been significant disruption to faith communities during the pandemic, and the inability to meet in a place of worship has obviously caused significant hardship for many individuals who rely very much on that communication with other people in their congregations for their own spiritual strength. Clearly, it's been a very difficult time, but I'm glad that our places of worship are now back open and I very much have enjoyed being part of online services, but there's nothing like being back in a place of worship, being able to see people in the flesh in the same way that we're able to see people in the flesh in other walks of life. 

I think I just wanted to ask you, if I may: can you continue to assure the Senedd of the Welsh Government's ongoing support for chaplaincy—publicly funded chaplaincy services? We've seen, obviously, significant numbers of people who have experienced bereavement as a result of the coronavirus and, because of the pandemic, many people haven't even had the opportunity to say their final goodbyes to many of their relatives at the bedside in the way that they might have been able to at other times. So, clearly, bereavement services in particular are something that many hospital chaplains are able to provide to people, as first responders in many respects. And I would very much appreciate—I've always appreciated the support that the Welsh Government has given to NHS chaplaincy services, but I wonder whether you could just put on record today and join me in thanking those chaplains across Wales who have done such important work at what I'm sure has been a very difficult time for them and those that they've been supporting. 

In addition to that, you've made reference to the interfaith councils and the interfaith forum, and I also want to recognise them for their significant contribution to the faith communities and to the social life of Wales. But will you also join me in thanking those individuals who are also participating in the cross-party group on faith, who work so hard to ensure that topics that are of interest to the faith community are on the agenda for all of us in the Senedd, and to really make sure that we listen to that diversity of voices that comes from the faith community? It's been a pleasure to chair that cross-party group over the past 12 years, I think it is now. It never ceases to amaze or encourage me the way that people with very diverse opinions are able to get on and work together collaboratively in the interests of the people of Wales on that group. So I hope that you'll join me in thanking them for the contribution that they make. 

And one final question, if I may. The interfaith forum, which has been such a successful forum that's able to engage directly with the Welsh Government, I think would benefit greatly from an additional member, if I may say so, and that is in the form of a representative of Wales's pentecostal denominations. There are over 120 pentecostal churches from the three main pentecostal denominations here in Wales. They have over 17,000 people attending those congregations each year, and many of them do a great deal of good work in their local communities. I wonder, Minister, whether it's time now for the Welsh Government to recognise the significant contribution of the pentecostal denominations by affording them a seat at the table on the interfaith forum so that they can make a positive contribution in the way that they do in their communities to the nation of Wales and the good work that you and the Welsh Government are doing to improve faith relationships. Thank you.