This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7880313.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Synod to consider BNP clergy ban Synod to consider BNP clergy ban
(40 minutes later)
The Church of England synod is to consider a motion to ban clergy and some Church staff from belonging to the far-right British National Party.The Church of England synod is to consider a motion to ban clergy and some Church staff from belonging to the far-right British National Party.
The proposal made by a lay synod member who works for the police is modelled on a policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers.The proposal made by a lay synod member who works for the police is modelled on a policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Current rules do not allow for a ban on clergy joining political parties.Current rules do not allow for a ban on clergy joining political parties.
Previously, Church of England leaders have explicitly called for voters to shun the BNP during recent elections.Previously, Church of England leaders have explicitly called for voters to shun the BNP during recent elections.
The proposer of the motion, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who works for the Metropolitan Police, says the measure is necessary to prevent parties such as the BNP from associating themselves with the Church.The proposer of the motion, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who works for the Metropolitan Police, says the measure is necessary to prevent parties such as the BNP from associating themselves with the Church.
She also says a membership ban would send a clear message against racial prejudice to the public at large.She also says a membership ban would send a clear message against racial prejudice to the public at large.
The BNP campaigns for the voluntary repatriation of immigrants, but chairman Nick Griffin has repeatedly insisted that neither he nor his party are racist.The BNP campaigns for the voluntary repatriation of immigrants, but chairman Nick Griffin has repeatedly insisted that neither he nor his party are racist.
The party's website says it "unashamedly addresses itself to the issues and concerns of the indigenous British population and... seeks to ensure that British people remain the majority population in this country".The party's website says it "unashamedly addresses itself to the issues and concerns of the indigenous British population and... seeks to ensure that British people remain the majority population in this country".
'Racial prejudice''Racial prejudice'
The Association of Chief Police Officers' policy on political party membership speaks of a "general duty to promote race equality".The Association of Chief Police Officers' policy on political party membership speaks of a "general duty to promote race equality".
Previously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice". I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary Alison Ruoff, Synod lay memberPreviously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice". I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary Alison Ruoff, Synod lay member
But banning clergy, trainee clergy and staff who speak for the Church from membership of particular political parties would be a more fundamental step.But banning clergy, trainee clergy and staff who speak for the Church from membership of particular political parties would be a more fundamental step.
The proposal follows the publication last year of a list of 12,000 names of BNP members, which included five clergy.The proposal follows the publication last year of a list of 12,000 names of BNP members, which included five clergy.
The Church of England said none of them was a serving Anglican priest.The Church of England said none of them was a serving Anglican priest.
Canon Ivor Smith Cameron, former chaplain to the Queen, told the BBC that there were members of the clergy who had joined the BNP, but their numbers were "very, very few".Canon Ivor Smith Cameron, former chaplain to the Queen, told the BBC that there were members of the clergy who had joined the BNP, but their numbers were "very, very few".
Explaining his support for a ban, he said: "One of the reasons for my existence as a clergyman is to preserve racial and community harmony and the work of the BNP clearly does not do that.Explaining his support for a ban, he said: "One of the reasons for my existence as a clergyman is to preserve racial and community harmony and the work of the BNP clearly does not do that.
"Furthermore, in its websites, its blogs... it is proclaiming itself to be a Christian organisation and I resent that deeply."Furthermore, in its websites, its blogs... it is proclaiming itself to be a Christian organisation and I resent that deeply.
"The Church is simply trying to follow where other bodies in this country are moving.""The Church is simply trying to follow where other bodies in this country are moving."
Women bishops
Alison Ruoff, a lay member of the synod, disagreed, saying BNP membership should not be banned "in a free country".Alison Ruoff, a lay member of the synod, disagreed, saying BNP membership should not be banned "in a free country".
"I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary," she said. "I want to trust clergy. The more you say, 'Thou shalt not,' the more people want to."I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary," she said. "I want to trust clergy. The more you say, 'Thou shalt not,' the more people want to.
"And of course, even if you don't join it, anybody, but anybody, including clergy, can vote BNP without anybody knowing.""And of course, even if you don't join it, anybody, but anybody, including clergy, can vote BNP without anybody knowing."
On Monday, the Synod discussed draft plans on allowing the consecration of women as bishops. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, addressed the meeting on Monday.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, also addressed the meeting.
He expressed his regrets about the divisions in the Church of England and said there was a need for unity at a time when both churches were facing the challenge of a "very secular society".He expressed his regrets about the divisions in the Church of England and said there was a need for unity at a time when both churches were facing the challenge of a "very secular society".