The Rt Revd Arun Arora, the Church of England’s co-lead Bishop for Racial Justice and Bishop of Kirkstall, has called upon Christians “to reclaim both the flag and the faith that is being desecrated by those who would use both to divide us as a nation.”
Bishop Arun was speaking at a licensing service on the evening of Wednesday, September 17 in East Leeds close to the Brittania Hotel where there have been weekly protests against those seeking asylum temporarily housed in the Seacroft area of the city.
Referring to the increasing incidence of racism in both Leeds and across the country Bishop Arun said: “Such incidents have followed weeks of hotel protests and flag flying across the nation with barely concealed racist overtones.
“Sentiments that even five years ago would have been considered shameful are now being broadcast at public gatherings, accompanied by cheers and applause.
“Such sentiments have been accompanied by reckless voices of hate seeking to camouflage themselves in the language of patriotism and faith all the while debasing both.”
Referring to the local protests in Leeds, Bishop Arun spoke of the violence visited upon one of those staying in the hotel who also worships at a local Anglican church: “Some of those inside the hotel are Christians who worship at our churches here in Leeds.
“Recently one of them spoke of how he was crossing the road to go back into the hotel he was set upon by 3 men who beat him, punched him in the face and broke his tooth.
“The police were called and asked him if he wanted to press charges?
“He said no because he thought it would just cause more trouble, and after all, he said, it’s only a tooth.”
Outlining the response of the Church to the Reunite the Kingdom march and local protests Bishop Arun said: “Our overriding duty as the Church - to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbour as ourselves - requires us to stand firm in a faith rooted in the Common Good that recognises the face of God in all those we are called to serve.
“Both in the face of those bleeding from the violence visited upon them and the screaming face contorted by hate.
“God calls us to love them equally and where it is possible as a church to be a bridge between them both.
“To be a reconciling power in our communities and in our country.
“But that does not mean being neutral in the face of violence and injustice.
“As followers of Christ our duty is clear.
“To challenge those who lips drip with vituperation and hate, to refute division and to restore dignity in building the common good.
“To oppose the Racist sin that refuses to recognise God in our neighbour and to instead advocate a way of peace.
“To stand with those who fear this rising tension – with the Muslim, Sikh, Jew and Hindu.”
During his sermon Bishop Arun made reference to “the rising toxic tide of racism – the sin of racism - and its impact is being felt both in this city and all over the country”, before making reference to various incidents that have occurred over the past days: “The serious sexual assault of a young Sikh woman in the West Midlands last week is reported to have been accompanied by perpetrators telling her she should go back to her own country.
“Only days ago in County Durham a local councillor reported that a black couple failed to turn up to church on Sunday after having had bricks thrown through their window.
“Chaplains in Leeds reporting a rise in racist abuse at NHS staff, parents in Derby saying that are afraid for their children of colour going out into town.
“In York a Chinese restaurant closed after being vandalised including windows and doors were grafted with the St George's Cross.
“And here in East Leeds, in Seacroft, the weekly protests that have been taking place at the Britannia Hotel against those seeking asylum who have been temporarily housed there whilst awaiting a decision on their case.”
Bishop Arun ended his sermon by quoting from Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “We are made for goodness. We are made for love. We are made for friendliness. We are made for togetherness. We are made for all of the beautiful things that you and I know. We are made to tell the world that there are no outsiders. All are welcome: black, white, red, yellow, rich, poor, educated, not educated, male, female, gay, straight, all, all, all. We all belong to this family, this human family, God's family of Saints.”
Bishop Arun’s statement has been featured in the Church Times.