In recent weeks, church leaders have spoken out to emphasise the centrality of compassion and justice to the Gospel message and have warned about the rise of so-called Christian nationalism.
Joint church statements
CTE Presidents express “deep concern” (23 September)
“The Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others. Its message never legitimises rejection, hatred or superiority towards people of other cultures.” Read the full statement.
Christian leaders write a joint letter voicing concern at the use of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, at last week’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. (20 September)
“As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds, we stand together against the misuse of Christianity. Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable”. Read the full text of the letter in The Mirror.
The Church of England comments on the joint letter.
Statements from our Member Churches
Challenging the Rise of the Far right: Our role as Methodists by the Secretary of the Methodist Conference, Rev Dr Jonathan Hustler. (16 September)
“I am privileged to serve a Church that has emphatically proclaimed itself to be inclusive and justice-seeking, which believes that it has been called into being to proclaim that God’s love is indiscriminate and unbounded, and which seeks to become a sign of God’s reign from which no one is excluded and in which no one is devalued.” Read the full blog.
Diocese of London statement from the Bishop of Edmonton, Bishop Anderson Jeremiah and Dr Lisa Adjei (12 September)
“We affirm that freedom of speech is a vital democratic right, and at the same time pray for a nation where that freedom is exercised not to deepen fear or exclusion, but to foster compassion and unity.” Read the full statement.
An open letter to Prime Minister Kier Starmer in response to the recent display of national symbols from the National Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God, Bishop Claion Grandison. (11 September)
“We believe that the future of this nation lies in embracing our diversity as a source of strength, not suspicion.” Read the full open letter.
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