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Church of England Calls on God to Help ‘Brexit’ Voters Church of England Calls on God to Help ‘Brexit’ Voters
(about 3 hours later)
LONDON — Those who favor a British exit from the European Union now fear that God, or one of His representatives on earth, is not on their side.LONDON — Those who favor a British exit from the European Union now fear that God, or one of His representatives on earth, is not on their side.
On Tuesday, the Church of England released a short “prayer for the E.U. referendum campaign” that it said was intended “for use by churches and individuals ahead of the vote on June 23.”On Tuesday, the Church of England released a short “prayer for the E.U. referendum campaign” that it said was intended “for use by churches and individuals ahead of the vote on June 23.”
The prayer, urging honesty, openness and generosity in an already bitter debate, asks God to imbue voters with “discernment” so that “our nation may prosper and that, with all the peoples of Europe, we may work for peace and the common good.”The prayer, urging honesty, openness and generosity in an already bitter debate, asks God to imbue voters with “discernment” so that “our nation may prosper and that, with all the peoples of Europe, we may work for peace and the common good.”
The prayer was seen by some as a sign that the Church of England — whose supreme governor is Queen Elizabeth II – was joining with President Obama to side with those who want Britain to remain a member of the European Union.The prayer was seen by some as a sign that the Church of England — whose supreme governor is Queen Elizabeth II – was joining with President Obama to side with those who want Britain to remain a member of the European Union.
Peter Bone, a Conservative legislator who is strongly in favor of a British exit, or “Brexit,” said it was “outrageous” for the church to seem to take a position.Peter Bone, a Conservative legislator who is strongly in favor of a British exit, or “Brexit,” said it was “outrageous” for the church to seem to take a position.
“This is politics and should be nothing to do with the church,” he told The Daily Mail, adding, “I would have thought that God was rather neutral on this issue.”“This is politics and should be nothing to do with the church,” he told The Daily Mail, adding, “I would have thought that God was rather neutral on this issue.”
A spokesman for the Church of England said in a telephone interview that the church was not taking sides in the debate, and that the prayer was not intended to push voters one way or the other.A spokesman for the Church of England said in a telephone interview that the church was not taking sides in the debate, and that the prayer was not intended to push voters one way or the other.
The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, last month said that the church would stay neutral. He said that Britons had a “genuine fear” about immigration, and that, “it is really important that that fear is listened to and addressed.”The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, last month said that the church would stay neutral. He said that Britons had a “genuine fear” about immigration, and that, “it is really important that that fear is listened to and addressed.”
But as for the vote, he said, “You can’t say, ‘God says you must vote this way or that way.’ ”But as for the vote, he said, “You can’t say, ‘God says you must vote this way or that way.’ ”
According to Christian Today, an online news agency, Dr. Adrian Hilton of the group Christians for Britain said that the church had cast the decision in the context of a greater European identity.According to Christian Today, an online news agency, Dr. Adrian Hilton of the group Christians for Britain said that the church had cast the decision in the context of a greater European identity.
“This shifts the narrative of debate from the narrow one of E.U. membership to that of European identity,” Dr. Hilton was quoted as saying. “You clearly don’t have to be in the E.U. to work for peace and the common good of all Europe.”“This shifts the narrative of debate from the narrow one of E.U. membership to that of European identity,” Dr. Hilton was quoted as saying. “You clearly don’t have to be in the E.U. to work for peace and the common good of all Europe.”
Michael Sadgrove of the group Christians for Europe said, “It is a prayer we can all pray with integrity as we seek the wisdom of God.”Michael Sadgrove of the group Christians for Europe said, “It is a prayer we can all pray with integrity as we seek the wisdom of God.”
The prayer, in full, reads:The prayer, in full, reads:
God of truth,Give us grace to debate the issues in this referendumGive generosity to those who seek to form opinionand discernment to those who vote,that our nation may prosperand that, with all the peoples of Europe,we may work for peace and the common good;for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.