Two bishops have praised Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg for speaking out in favour of Church teaching on abortion and same-sex marriage. Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury hailed his “integrity” for talking “fearlessly” about his Christian convictions, while Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth said he gave a “wonderful witness” as a Catholic. Mr Rees-Mogg told the ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain that he opposed abortion in all cases and followed Church teaching on marriage. Bishop Davies said: “It is a mark of the extremes to which the leaders of public opinion are moving that a politician who simply accepts Christian teaching on the sanctity of human life and the identity of marriage is considered exceptional. “I think we should all be grateful for the integrity of politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg who fearlessly speak of those Christian convictions on which our society was built.” Bishop Egan also praised his witness during the interview, saying “he was faithful and bold, yet gentle in stating his position”. Bishop Egan said he believed the fiercest reaction would be on the subject of same-sex marriage, on which the Catholic position is that “every human being is called to chastity.” The bishop added that those who live unchaste lives “open themselves to deep-seated forces within” and “unwittingly allow the Evil One to bind himself like a serpent tightly around their hearts. “They then self-justify their situation and when challenged lash out, full of rage. Like with a drunk, you can’t reason with them. Sadly, as a consequence,” the bishop said, “they never hear how much Christ and his Church loves them and wants to lift them up to a nobler, more beautiful and more fulfilling way of life.”