Eleven Anglican bishops from across the West Midlands have encouraged their church members to vote in the forthcoming European Elections on June 4th, and to make sure they do not support any party which promotes prejudices based on country of origin, race or religion.

The Bishops represent the five Dioceses of Birmingham, Coventry, Lichfield, Hereford and Worcester. Between them the Dioceses include 1,726 churches.

In a joint statement issued to Anglican churches across the region, the bishops state: “…we wish to express in the strongest terms our distaste for any political platform which has the effect of destabilising communities through the use of misinformation, scare stories and inflammatory rhetoric.”

The bishops are keen that apathy does not prevent people from using their vote and want to remind voters that decisions made in Europe are of vital importance.

A full copy of the statement is copied below.

ENDS

Sunday May 17th

Statement from the Anglican bishops of the West Midlands

As leaders of the Church of England across the West Midlands, including more than 1720 churches, our care is not only for our members, but also for the communities in which we live, work and worship.  We are charged with pursuing the common good of all people, but especially those who are in particular need and who find themselves marginalised and disadvantaged in our society.  We cannot stand by when groups and individuals are maligned, misrepresented and singled out for verbal or even physical abuse. 

In a democracy it is even more alarming when prejudices founded upon country of origin, race or religion become part of a political platform, and are offered to the electorate for endorsement.  Any prejudice against others should be deeply offensive to all Christians, who believe that all are equal and immensely valued in the eyes of God.

So we wish to express in the strongest terms our distaste for any political platform which has the effect of destabilising communities through the use of misinformation, scare stories and inflammatory rhetoric. Those should be resisted and not rewarded, be it via the ballot box, silent assent or public endorsement.  Issues of asylum seekers and migrant workers have to be addressed in an informed and balanced way according to the highest standards of civilised society and mutual respect. Less than 3 per cent of the world’s refugees are hosted by the UK and as Christians we have a responsibility to care for the vulnerable and offer a welcome to strangers and foreigners.

Finally, we encourage you to vote in the coming elections, and to push back the tide of apathy that is seeing fewer citizens engage in the democratic process. Apathy is always dangerous because it too often allows the unacceptable to creep under the wire.  Remember too that decisions made in Europe are of vital importance affecting a range of issues from family life to the environment. Please use your vote wisely.

Signed by

The Bishop of Aston – Andrew Watson

The Bishop of Birmingham – David Urquhart

The Bishop of Coventry –   Dr Christopher Cocksworth

The Bishop of Dudley – David Walker

The Bishop of Hereford – Anthony Priddis

The Bishop of Lichfield – Jonathan Gledhill

The Bishop of Ludlow – Michael Hooper

The Bishop of Stafford – Gordon Mursell

The Bishop of Warwick – John Stroyan

The Bishop of Wolverhampton – Clive Gregory

The Bishop of Worcester – Dr John Inge

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.