Female Genital Mutilation
In March 2004 the Female Genital Mutilation Act came into force, in support of which the Church of England issued this statement:
'In November 2002 the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion which condemned all forms of FGM but also recognised the urgent need for continuing action to eradicate the practice world wide. We support the new Act which seeks to strengthen the law and will seek to play our part in challenging the ritual practices and customs which serve to legitimise FGM.'
In 2005, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, spoke in a House of Lords debate initiated by Baroness Rendell of Babergh on this issue. The Bishop also asked supplementary Questions on the subject in 2007 and 2009.
The motion carried by the General Synod in November 2002 was:
'That this Synod, noting gratefully that all forms of female genital mutilation (FGM) are prohibited under UK law:
a) recognise the urgent need for continuing action through health education and cultural programmes to work actively towards the total eradication of these practices world wide, through provision of alternative and harmless 'rites of passage' into adulthood, which include celebration and general approval by the local people;
b) condemn all forms of FGM;
c) request the Archbishops' Council to consider ways in which the dangers of FGM can be better understood by the Church and the nation;
d) urge all provinces of the Anglican Communion to challenge the ritual practices and customs which serve to legitimise FGM; and
e) welcome the efforts of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation to combat this abuse against women and girls.'
