A group of Church of England bishops has issued an open letter on the prospect of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and the need for national reconciliation, notwithstanding the potential prorogation of Parliament. The full text can be found below:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has conditionally agreed to chair a Citizens Forum in Coventry and, without prejudice for any particular outcome, we support this move to have all voices in the current Brexit debate heard.
However, we also have particular concerns about the potential cost of a No Deal Brexit to those least resilient to economic shocks.
As bishops with pastoral responsibilities in communities across urban and rural England, we respond to the call by Jesus to tell the truth and defend the poor. We also recognise that our obligations go beyond England and impact on relations with the wider UK and our neighbours in the EU.
Exiting the EU without an agreement is likely to have a massive impact on all our people and the Government is rightly preparing for this outcome. The Government believes that leaving the EU on 31 October is essential to restoring trust and confidence. It is unlikely, however, that leaving without an agreement, regardless of consequences, will lead to reconciliation or peace in a fractured country. “Getting Brexit done” will not happen on exit day, and we have to be transparent about the years of work ahead of us in bringing the country together for a better future. We also need to be frank about the potential costs.
Our main social and political priority must be to leave well, paying particular attention to the impact of political decisions on those most vulnerable.
We hold different views about Brexit and how our country should proceed from here. However, although we agree that respecting a public vote is essential, democracy and committed debate do not end after the counting of votes. Our concern for the common good leads us to express concern about a number of matters. Our conviction is that good governance can only ever be based on the confidence of the governed, and that includes minorities whose voice is not as loud as others.
Seeing the evidence of division in every part of England, we are deeply concerned about:
- Political polarisation and language that appears to sanction hate crime: the reframing of the language of political discourse is urgent, especially given the abuse and threats levelled at MPs doing their job.
- The ease with which lies can be told and misrepresentation encouraged: leaders must be honest about the costs of political choices, especially for those most vulnerable.
- The levels of fear, uncertainty and marginalisation in society, much of which lies behind the vote for Brexit, but will not be addressed by Brexit: poor people, EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Europe must be listened to and respected.
- The Irish border is not a mere political totem and peace in Ireland is not a ball to be kicked by the English: respect for the concerns on both sides of the border is essential.
- The sovereignty of Parliament is not just an empty term, it is based on institutions to be honoured and respected: our democracy is endangered by cavalier disregard for these.
- Attention must be paid not only to the Union, but also to the meaning of Englishness.
Churches serve communities of every shape, size and complexion. We continue to serve, regardless of political persuasion. We invite politicians to pay attention with us to the concerns we register above and encourage a recovery of civil debate and reconciliation.
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds
The Rt Revd Donald Allister, Bishop of Peterborough
The Rt Revd Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter
The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool
The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham
The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark
The Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry
The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford
The Rt Revd Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol
The Rt Revd Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth
The Rt Revd Richard Frith, Bishop of Hereford
The Rt Revd Christine Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle
The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury
The Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield
The Rt Revd James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester
The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London
The Rt Revd Dr Alan Gregory Clayton Smith, Bishop of St Albans
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich
The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop Of Manchester
The Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford
The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield
The bishops say: “The Archbishop of Canterbury has conditionally agreed to chair a Citizens Forum in Coventry and, without prejudice for any particular outcome, we support this move to have all voices in the current Brexit debate heard.”
Then go on for 5 paragraphs on the particular outcome and process that they favor. With bullet points.
Theresa May also rejected Brexit. She’s gone. Why do these bishops want Angela Merkel’s 4th Reich? All of these scare tactics are nonsense. Do they really think there will be a run on Barclays as funds are transferred to Deutsche->Switzerland->Cypress->Cayman Islands->other criminal enterprises? The EU has put no concessions on the line. Walk away quickly. Everything will be fine. EU countries want to sell goods to Britain just like America, China, Japan, and anyone else that has money. Goods sold to EU have to be put on a fumigated pallet. Big deal.
Foreign affairs do not appear to me to be the bishops’ job. Did they protest against what happens to the “most vulnerable” under the effect of rules and regulations from the unelected bureaucrats in Brussels?
The usual bunch of suspects, with no surprises. I’d say stick to their day job, but frankly most of them can’t even do that properly.
Blind guides.
Lord, please send forth some actual gospel centred disciples to be bishops. No wonder the CofE is sinking faster than a boat with no bottom.
Their ‘day job’ is to engage with society and people. If you don’t think the Jesus of the Gospels engaged with the politic of his day I have no idea which Gospels you are reading.
Back to form eh Paul? Don’t lecture me on the content or context of the gospels please.
Then please don’t make ridiculous generalisations ‘Father’. If you think all C of E bishops are ‘blind guides’ what are you doing making your oaths to any of them?
I’m Ridiculous am I? Well, don’t mince your words ‘brother’.
Do I offend you Paul, do I get under your skin? Do you not like those of us who express our opinions that don’t match your own, or are we not entitled to have them, however ridiculous you may think they are? Free Speech is what it says it is, whether you like people’s ‘ridiculous’ comments or not. I’ve gone through your previous comments on this site and you do like to make things personal dont you Paul when people don’t agree with you.
So comment as much as you like about what I say because it’s a real hoot reading your opinions, in fact I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a long time – thank you!!
I’ve no idea if you are ridiculous and didn’t say you were. I said you make a ridiculous generalisation, which you did.
So please do answer the question: if the C of E bishops are blind guides, why do you make your oaths to them?
Oh and if you want to accuse people of being personal in comments, what exactly do you mean when you say:
“The usual bunch of suspects, with no surprises. I’d say stick to their day job, but frankly most of them can’t even do that properly”
Isn’t that personal?
In what way did Jesus engage with the politics of his day?
Hi David. Charlie Moule and Tom Wright have both written helpful things about this theme. Worth looking at.
Their church has lost its moral direction and they make a statement on a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. I’m not seeing the “render unto Caesar” or “stand up for the poor” in this. This reeks of base politics.
Whoa … their day job better be ensuring British people know that Jesus Christ died for them despite of their politics and no matter how GB is aligned with Europe. The EU isn’t going to make a blind bit of difference once any Brit hits the other side. Dear Bishops, please stick to the knitting, demand that Christ be preached and people love their neighbour no matter who’s in charge.
At the last moment, they jump on the wrong side of history.
The European Common Market was a better solution than the Union. In some respects the CM didn’t go far enough and the EU made some positive corrections. But the EU won’t stand and we’ve already seen why…the disparity of economies and the concentration of political and economic power. I can’t predict how or why it will die (too many possibilities) only that it will and that the British are wise to see their mistake.