A group of high-ranking church officials have united to denounce the misuse of Christian symbols at a recent far-right rally led by Tommy Robinson in London. The leaders expressed deep concerns in an open letter, decrying the appropriation of Christian icons, especially the cross, during the “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration last weekend.
The letter, which was obtained by the Mirror, highlighted the distress felt by many individuals and communities due to the presence of wooden crosses and images of Christ on flags carried by participants at the rally. Despite recognizing the diverse motivations behind the event and the right to free speech, the clergy and Christian scholars emphasized their opposition to the racist, anti-Muslim, and far-right elements present at the march.
Stressing the importance of upholding the core values of Christianity, the signatories emphasized that the cross symbolizes sacrifice for others, calling for love towards both neighbors and enemies, and the welcoming of strangers. They firmly rejected any distortion or exclusionary use of the Christian faith.
The letter was endorsed by bishops from Winchester, Southwark, Manchester, Bradford, and Croydon, as well as prominent figures from Methodist, Baptist, and Evangelical churches, among others. The leaders pledged to work towards a more cohesive United Kingdom where love, humility, and compassion are prevalent in all communities, in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Brendan Cox, Co-founder of the Together Coalition, commended the diverse representation of UK Christian leadership in the letter, indicating a strong collective stance against the far-right’s exploitation of religion.