CHURCH LEADERS CONDEMN “UNCHRISTIAN” BNP

20-10-2009

The Bishop of Birmingham is among more than a dozen church leaders in the city joining forces to condemn the British National Party ahead of this week’s “Question Time” appearance by party leader Nick Griffin.

During the recent European elections, the BNP laid claim to be the protector of the country’s Christian heritage.

That’s vigorously disputed by a group representing hundreds of churches across the region, including the local head of the Anglican church , the Rt Revd David Urquhart.

Bishops from the Catholic and Pentecostal churches, free-church leaders, tutors from the city's theological college, The Queens Foundation, and the Chair of the Council of Black-led Churches have all added their names to the following statement.

“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 due to take place next Thursday.

“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 full list of signatories is as follows:

The Revd Bill Anderson - Birmingham District Chair, Methodist Church

The Revd Lorraine Dixon - Deanery Missioner, Anglican Diocese of Birmingham

Major Sam Edgar - Divisional Commander, Salvation Army

The Revd Julian Francis - Centre for Black Ministries and Leadership, Queen's Foundation for Theological Education, Birmingham

The Revd Ray Gaston - Inter Faith Enabler, Birmingham District Methodist Church

The Revd Dr Toby Howarth - Inter Faith Advisor to the Bishop of Birmingham

The Rt Revd William Kenny - Administrator, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham

The Revd Roy Lowes - West Midlands Moderator, United Reformed Church

Dr Andy Mackie - Leader, Riverside Church Birmingham

The Revd Lynnette Mullings - Centre for Black Ministries and Leadership, Queen's Foundation for Theological Education, Birmingham

Dr Anthony Reddie - Research Fellow in Black Theological Studies for The British Methodist Church

Bishop Basil Richards - Church of God of Prophecy

The Rt Revd David Urquhart - Anglican Bishop of Birmingham

Pastor Calvin Young - Chair of the Council of Black-led Churches

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