Written question asked by Chris Loder (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 November 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 November 2021 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Monday, 22 November 2021 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Baptism: Asylum

Question: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how many services the Church of England has conducted specifically for the purposes of Baptising people seeking asylum in each of the last five years.

Answer: Data are not kept on the nationality or migration status of those who seek Baptism. The content of the rite of Baptism remains the same for all.
Clergy are required by canon law to ensure that all who come to Baptism as adults are given appropriate teaching on the tenets of the faith and in encouragement to private spiritual devotion. Therefore, the preparation process may require specific, lengthier input and instruction of some groups of candidates before the clergyperson is confident of the independent faith of each individual.

Secondary information