Leading Religious Freedom Campaigner Receives Family Values Award at UK Parliament

Nola Leach, CEO of prominent Christian campaigning group CARE, was presented the Family Values Award by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at an event held in the United Kingdom Parliament (30 October).

The Church in the UK presents Family Values Awards to individuals in the public eye whose work and influence have a significant impact on family life within society.

Addressing eminent guests in the House of Commons’ Churchill Room, Nola Leach said, “In receiving this Award, I want to make one plea: please join up the dots – please see that in this broken society, where relationships break down, how important it is to invest in family life and in marriage.

“The ‘gold standard’ of which we’d like to uphold is marriage.  A child is now more likely to have a smartphone than to have a father.  We must never underestimate the power of a stable family.”

CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) is one of Europe’s leading Christian Charities, seeking to uphold human dignity and to support the most vulnerable people in society – engaging with politicians in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies and promoting Christian community-based initiatives.  It is a strong advocate of the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Clifford Herbertson, who presented the Family Values Award on behalf of the Church, said, “Over decades, Nola Leach has demonstrated a remarkable strength and willingness to stand up to the influences and challenges that threaten to damage and negatively impact the family. Such as internet pornography, human trafficking, problem gamblers, the sanctity of life from its beginning to its natural end and freedom of religious belief.”

Elder Alan Phillips, senior ecclesiastical leader from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “We’re so grateful for organisations like CARE. In a few weeks we’ll commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The vision at that time, was that these fundamental rights would be universal. Yet, there are still those who are persecuted, afflicted, or displaced on grounds of religion, culture, gender, or belief. We thank you Nola and ask that this cause continue, until all benefit from these protections.”

The luncheon at the UK Parliament was hosted by Stephen Kerr MP and was attended by 60 community and civic leaders, including 13 Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.

Family Values Awards were first presented by the Church in the UK during 2003. Previous recipients have included government cabinet ministers, people of influence in the third sector and faith leaders.