Birmingham churches unite in opposition to BNP’s ‘Christian Britain’ claim

Bishop William Kenney

Bishop William Kenney has joined forces with more than 200 other church leaders to oppose the BNP's claim that it stands for a Christian Britain.

The Birmingham Post have published the following statement today:

“The BNP sometimes claims it is standing for ‘Christian Britain’. We refute that wholeheartedly and would like to point out that some churches have stated that BNP membership is incompatible with Christian discipleship.

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people and, celebrating the international, multi-racial, multi-ethnic nature of our churches we feel our faith in Jesus calls us to positively engage and work with our neighbours of other faith traditions. The BNP has nothing to do with Christianity and many of its hate-filled, fear-generating messages are completely counter to the loving challenge of the Christian gospel.

“We celebrate the wonderful God-given diversity of our city, region and nation.”

The statement comes in the week the BBC has decided to invite BNP party leader Nick Griffin to appear on Question Time. It will be the first time anyone from the party has appeared on the programme.

The statement says: “As representatives of Christian Churches in Birmingham we wish to express our real concern at the invitation given by the BBC to BNP leader Nick Griffin to the popular programme Question Time."

Signatories to the statement are: The Rev Bill Anderson - Birmingham District Chair, Methodist Church; The Rev Lorraine Dixon ; Anglican Diocese of Birmingham; Major Sam Edgar, Salvation Army; The Rev Julian Francis,Queen's Foundation for Theological Education, Birmingham; The Rev Ray Gaston,Methodist Church; The Rev Dr Toby Howarth - Inter Faith Advisor to the Bishop of Birmingham; The Rt Rev William Kenny, Diocesan Adminstrator, Archdiocese of Birmingham; The Rev Roy Lowes,United Reformed Church; Dr Andy Mackie - Leader, Riverside Church Birmingham; The Rev Lynnette Mullings, Centre for Black Ministries and Leadership, Queen's Foundation for Theological Education, Birmingham; Dr Anthony Reddie ,Methodist Church; Bishop Basil Richards - Church of God of Prophecy; The Rt Rev David Urquhart - Anglican Bishop of Birmingham; Pastor Calvin Young, Council of Black-led Churches