THE Bishop of Kirkstall, within the diocese of Leeds, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, has said that the events of recent weeks have reminded him of what it was wish to grow up within the Seventies and ’80s in Britain. That was also a time when flag of St George was used as an emblem of division and intimidation, he said.
“Over the past 4 weeks alone we’ve got seen and heard of a litany of incidents of violence, abuse and intimidation.”
Bishop Arora, certainly one of the 2 lead bishops for racial justice (News 21 March), was speaking at a gathering of 150 minority-ethnic Church of England clergy and ordinands within the Central Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday. It is believed to have been the biggest C of E gathering of its kind.
The call of the Church in such situations was not to stay silent or neutral, but to “pursue the best way of mercy”, he said.
“If the Church of England doesn’t use its voice to face with those that are being attacked, we’re passing by on the opposite side of the road. If we’re silent or timid in our preaching or prayers about not standing up for victims of violence, we’re passing by on the opposite side the road.”
He said that he and a few fellow clergy had recently frolicked with a number of the demonstrators outside Leeds hotels that house asylum-seekers. He had also frolicked with counter-protesters, because “our call is to like our enemies . . . to face alongside those on each side of the road.”
The Church could help to be a reconciling presence between groups of atypical people, by meeting those on all sides and hearing their concerns. “Let us meet together. Let us find common ground.”
He called for the Church to embrace “a positive patriotism rooted in gospel values . . . that allows a daring, welcoming, confident English voice which celebrates the love of God for all and his Church, a love which speaks of Jesus Christ and which seeks to serve all throughout this green and nice land”.
