News Archive

16 November 2006

Stuart Dew, Church and Society Secretary for the United Reformed Church, commented upon Trevor Phillips' call for churches to refuse communion to supporters of the British National Party. On behalf of the United Reformed Church , Stuart wrote in a letter to The Guardian :

"The United Reformed Church does indeed regard support for racist organisations as incompatible with Christian discipleship, as Hugh Muir's report reminded readers (Church urged to ban BNP supporters from communion, November 16). The URC is very concerned about the rise of extreme right wing and racist political parties in many European countries. While accepting their right to operate within the democratic process, the Church believes it is vital that they should not become accepted as part of normal political life. However, the question of communion is different; all are welcome, especially sinners - and that includes all of us. Hugh Muir did make a mistake that many make; in our title we are Reformed, not Reform  - but always open to the likelihood that we will need to go on changing or reforming ourselves, to be fit for Christ's use."

17 November 2006

The Methodist Church issued a statement in response to Trevor Phillips' call for churches to refuse communion to supporters of the British National Party. Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, said;

"The Methodist understanding of communion is as a means of grace and a means of conversion. Communion is therefore offered to all who are looking for a deeper relationship with God. This should in itself cause people to challenge their attitudes. We would refer people to 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 where Paul suggests that if people come to communion and don't allow themselves to be challenged in this way, then it is God who will judge them. We would welcome everybody into Methodist churches. There is no room within the Church for racism under any circumstances, and we will always challenge these attitudes but we will never turn people away."