In response to the proposal of a Citizens’ Forum on Brexit, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, said today (27 Aug 2019):
“It is an unexpected privilege to be asked to chair this proposed Citizens’ Forum on Brexit. In the past this kind of gathering has, in many places and in difficult situations, opened the way for careful deliberation if at the right time and genuinely representative.
“I am honoured to be approached and would be willing to accept in principle, subject to some conditions which have not yet been met. The main three are first, and indispensably, that the forum should not be a Trojan horse intended to delay or prevent Brexit in any particular form. That power can only be exercised by the government and MPs in parliament. A forum must be open to all possibilities. Second, that it has cross party support (although its members will not be politicians). Third, the process must have time to be properly organised.
“Jesus Christ is the source of reconciliation and healing for individuals and society. It is obviously right that among many others the churches should contribute to the emergence of a dynamic and united country post-Brexit, however it may be achieved. Every one of us must play the part they can in this task.
“The need for national healing and eventually for a move towards reconciliation is essential, and will take much time, a deep commitment to the common good, and contributions from every source. This Forum is only one of many different efforts being made inside the political world and across the country before and after Brexit. Every effort counts.
“Let us pray for all those in government, parliament and political leadership. Let us pray for the people of this country whose lives will be affected in many ways by the momentous decisions that are made.”
This was leaked earlier and it was stated that it was his idea, now apparently he has been asked to lead it, so what gives? Even Iain Duncan Smith called him out on it.
I couldn’t think of someone more inept than brother justin to lead this. And, I might add Brother Justin as I hear your staff read the comments section here, 17.4 million already made their views clear so we don’t need your interference.
Get back to the job you are supposed to be doing and stop playing politics. Souls need saving and the institution you lead is falling apart at the seams under your headship. Do something about that if you want to be honoured for doing something.
There’s more spin on this story than a spinning top at full pelt
As to a “process” which has “time to be properly organized,” as I understand it, time’s up on October 31. There’s not enough time to organize an indaba.
I think in this case, “time to be properly organized” means waiting for Gavin Drake to get back from vacation so he and Welby can write the closing communique stating that the forum could not reach a conclusion, but that more discussion is needed, and therefore the October 31 deadline should be postponed indefinitely. After the communique is written, the forum can be held. It’s just like a Primate’s meeting.
It does seem a tiny bit late to be organising a citizens’ forum on Brexit. What it would be supposed to achieve I can’t imagine.
Is this neutral Justin Welby who can be a just arbiter any relation to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who with all the other diocesans has been an active opponent of Brexit?
Or, to put this another way…..
“that the forum should not be a Trojan horse intended to delay or prevent Brexit in any particular form.”
How is Justin Welby going to chair the citizen’s forum on Brexit while simultaneously leading the forces coming out of the Trojan Horse?
According to the news this morning, Parliament will be prorogued (suspended) from Sept. 14 to mid-October, leaving only two weeks before October 31 for parliamentary maneuvering.