The Church of England has released a video in response to a Christmas carols event today organised by the far-right activist, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as church leaders speak out against the dangers of Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols by those with right wing anti-migrant views.
In the short video, ‘Christmas Isn’t Cancelled’, more than 20 people from the Archbishop of York to schoolchildren speak about the “joy, love and hope” of Christmas. The message is “a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to all of us.
Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall, said Christianity was being used as “a flag of convenience by the far right; a nationalist ideology cloaking itself in religion”. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, warned of the potential “weaponisation” of religious events for political purposes and said that the true Christian message was one of compassion and welcome to all.
Anderson Jeremiah, bishop of Edmonton, said in a letter to parishes in London, that “the perception that the decline of Christianity in Britain was a direct result of immigration was misplaced”. In fact, migrants had significantly boosted church congregations. He added: “We must reject this brazen populist religious nationalism before we walk into crisis. The Christian call is to unconditionally follow the virtues of hospitality, generosity, kindness and compassion that Jesus commanded.”
See the Church of England video, here. Read a report in the Guardian, here.