Church of England Confronts Rise of Christian nationalism ahead of Far-Right Carols event
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Several leaders within the C of E have voiced strong opposition to the manipulation of Christian symbols for political purposes. One bishop described Christianity as being used as “a flag of convenience by the far right; a nationalist ideology cloaking itself in religion.” He cautioned that any attempt to align Christianity with specific political agendas should be met with “deep suspicion,” adding, “The far right has frequently enough sought to wrap itself in flags or symbols, which belong to us all, and now they are seeking to do it with Christmas – that should be resisted.”
The concern extends to the narrative that the decline of Christianity in Britain is linked to immigration. A bishop of Edmonton refuted this claim, stating that migrants have, actually, boosted church congregations. He highlighted the significant contributions of worshippers from “African-Caribbean heritage, from Nigeria and Ghana, people from south-east Asia, from India and Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” noting thier vital role in london’s Anglican churches. He also pointed to the revitalization of mass attendance through the efforts of indian priests and filipino Catholics.
A Call for Unity and Inclusion
Four bishops in the diocese of Southwark issued a joint statement condemning the appropriation of the Christian faith for exclusionary purposes. “Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable,” they stated, expressing “grave concern” over the use of Christian rhetoric to justify racism and anti-migrant views. They urged all Christians to actively work towards “building a more United Kingdom, where the values of love, humility and compassion shine through in every community.”
The Bishop of Manchester, in an article published friday, criticized the act of using the “great Christian festival of light triumphing over darkness as a prop in a dim culture war.”
Despite publicly claiming Saturday’s event is “non-political,” Robinson’s communications to supporters reveal a diffrent intent. Emails describe the carols concert as “a rally for our values, a beacon of hope amid the chaos of mass migration and cultural erosion that threatens our way of life… It’s a statement that Britain belongs to the British people, and our Christian heritage will not be silenced.”
The Core Values of Christmas
theologian Dr. Krish Kandiah,founder of the Sanctuary Foundation,emphasized that Robinson’s rhetoric fundamentally contradicts the teachings of the Bible. “He does not speak for all Christians. His core principles are not in line with the Christmas message,” Kandiah asserted. “The Christmas story is not about fear or exclusion, it is about hospitality, vulnerability, grace and love.”
in response to the planned event, a number of alternative gatherings have been organized, including conventional worship services and a counter-protest carrying the slogan: “Don’t let the far right divide us at Christmas.” musician Billy Bragg will perform at the counter-protest, having written a song specifically addressing the issue of Christian nationalism.
The Church of England’s response underscores a growing determination to defend the inclusive heart of Christianity against those seeking to exploit it for divisive political ends.
The Church of England has released a video affirming the inclusive spirit of Christmas as it responds to a planned carols event organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, amidst growing concerns about the appropriation of Christian symbols by nationalist movements.
The Church of England is actively pushing back against the co-opting of its faith by extremist groups, a trend that has intensified in recent weeks. In a 43-second video titled “Christmas Isn’t Cancelled,” released on the church’s official YouTube channel, a diverse chorus of voices – ranging from the Archbishop of York to schoolchildren – celebrate the “joy, love and hope” of the season. The message, according to the C of E, is a simple yet powerful reminder: “Christmas belongs to all of us, and everyone is welcome to celebrate.”
