Draft Bill Raises Concerns about Church Governance and Parental Rights
On 25 June 2026, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved a bill introducing prison sentences for broadly defined “conversion therapies”, even when the person concerned has consented. Christian organisations warn that the proposed offence is not clearly defined and includes “acts of any other nature” intended to modify, repress, eliminate or deny what the bill terms a person’s “sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression”. They argue that, without an explicit exemption for voluntary prayer and pastoral accompaniment, legitimate religious support could be exposed to uncertain criminal interpretation.
The UK Government published its Draft Conversion Practices Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny, proposing new criminal offences and civil protection orders in England and Wales. As of 14 September 2026, the draft had not been formally introduced or approved by Parliament and therefore had no legal effect. The Government expects a joint parliamentary committee to examine the proposal before deciding whether to introduce revised legislation.
Under the draft text, a “conversion practice” would include conduct intended to cause a person to have, cease to have or believe that they have a particular sexual orientation or transgender identity. Criminal liability would require the conduct to amount to what the draft defines as an “abusive conversion practice” and to cause serious harm to the person’s physical or mental health, or serious alarm or distress substantially affecting their usual daily activities. A conviction could result in up to five years’ imprisonment.
Whether conduct amounts to abuse would be determined by the court in light of all the circumstances. The draft instructs courts to consider, among other factors, violent or threatening behaviour, coercion, economic pressure and “psychological or emotional pressure”. This last category has attracted concern because the text does not explain when moral disagreement, parental guidance or religious teaching could be considered a form of emotional pressure.
The Government’s explanatory notes state that the legislation is not intended to restrict legitimate healthcare, broader support or the expression of religious beliefs. Minister for Equalities Olivia Bailey also told the House of Commons that a mother helping her child would categorically fall outside the offence. However, the operative provisions contain no express exemption for ordinary parenting, prayer, pastoral care or religious teaching.
The Evangelical Alliance welcomed protection against coercive and harmful practices but warned that the bill’s undefined references to emotional pressure could affect conversations within families and churches. Local church representatives further stressed the importance to distinguish attempts to “cure” homosexuality, which they reject, from pastoral support sought by Christians wishing to live according to the Church’s traditional teaching. The central concern is whether the eventual legislation will translate the Government’s assurances into sufficiently clear protections for lawful family relationships and voluntary religious accompaniment.
Source: Christianity Today / The European Conservative / The Guardian