The Right Rev Arun Arora, bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead on racial justice for the Church of England, has issued a powerful call for Christians to reclaim both their faith and the England flag from rightwing activists who, he warns, are desecrating these symbols in attempts to divide the nation. Delivered in a sermon at St James Church in Manston, Leeds, Arora's message came shortly after a massive rightwing protest in London, where over 110,000 people marched, carrying crosses and displaying biblical verses. The demonstrators chanted religious slogans and called to defend “God, faith, family, homeland,” co-opting Christian imagery in a manner the bishop strongly condemned.

Arora urged Christians to reject neutrality in the face of what he described as “violence and injustice.” He called on them to confront “lips dripping with vituperation and hate,” refute division, and restore dignity in order to build the common good. Notably, he highlighted a “rising toxic tide of racism” across the country, with protests targeting asylum seeker accommodations and expressions of patriotism frequently disguised as faith but laced with intolerance. These sentiments, once considered shameful, have now found a public platform, accompanied by applause, according to Arora. He cited a recent assault on a Christian asylum seeker living in the Britannia hotel in Leeds, one of the locations targeted by rightwing activists.

The bishop’s uncompromising stance marks a notable intensification compared to earlier church responses to the London march. For instance, the Right Rev Anderson Jeremiah, bishop of Edmonton, had previously condemned the march for its links to division and racial intolerance, while bishops in Southwark emphasized their commitment to celebrating community diversity. The Right Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, bishop of Dover, acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but warned against protests becoming platforms for intolerance or aggression. Arora’s language, however, directly confronted the co-opting of Christian faith by far-right groups, aligning with broader concerns within the Church of England about the misuse of religious symbols in political agitation.

This concern is not isolated. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has publicly condemned the use of Christian imagery by far-right rioters, calling it an offence to the faith and urging Christians not to associate with such groups, which he described as unchristian. Welby praised community leaders, including a Liverpool imam who reached out to rioters with offers of food and dialogue, exemplifying efforts at healing divisions through interfaith solidarity.

The Church of England itself faces significant internal challenges amid these external tensions. It is grappling with declining congregation numbers, internal divisions, and scandals that have raised questions about its future and ability to maintain a coherent message. At the same time, systemic issues such as institutional racism persist within the church, obstructing the progress of Black clergy and highlighting the need for deeper reforms. The appointment of bishops like Arora and Rosemarie Mallett to lead work on racial justice reflects a growing recognition within the church of these persistent inequalities.

Christianity in contemporary Britain is evolving, as diverse communities, including a growing number of Indian Christians from regions like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, enrich church life and contribute to its vibrancy. These communities not only bolster declining congregations but also embody the broader cultural and social plurality that the Church of England increasingly seeks to embrace amid its struggles.

Arora’s sermon thus underscores a critical moment for the church: a call to reclaim faith and national symbols from those who misuse them to sow division, and a challenge to affirm Christianity’s role in promoting justice, inclusion, and unity in a fractured society.

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Source: Noah Wire Services