Building a good UK, playing its part amongst the nations
- 2016-06-24
- By ReimaginingEurope
- Posted in EU Referendum, Sentamu, Welby
Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop John Sentamu have issued the following joint statement today after the British people voted for Britain to leave the European Union:
On Thursday, millions of people from across the United Kingdom voted in the referendum, and a majority expressed a desire that Britain’s future is to be outside the European Union.
The outcome of this referendum has been determined by the people of this country. It is now the responsibility of the Government, with the support of Parliament, to take full account of the outcome of the referendum, and, in the light of this, decide upon the next steps. This morning, the Prime Minister David Cameron has offered a framework for when this process might formally begin.
The vote to withdraw from the European Union means that now we must all reimagine both what it means to be the United Kingdom in an interdependent world and what values and virtues should shape and guide our relationships with others.
As citizens of the United Kingdom, whatever our views during the referendum campaign, we must now unite in a common task to build a generous and forward looking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world. We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers. Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one.
The referendum campaign has been vigorous and at times has caused hurt to those on one side or the other. We must therefore act with humility and courage – being true to the principles that make the very best of our nation. Unity, hope and generosity will enable us to overcome the period of transition that will now happen, and to emerge confident and successful. The opportunities and challenges that face us as a nation and as global citizens are too significant for us to settle for less. As those who hope and trust in the living God, let us pray for all our leaders, especially for Prime Minister David Cameron in his remaining months in office. We also pray for leaders across Europe, and around the world, as they face this dramatic change. Let us pray especially that we may go forward to build a good United Kingdom that, though relating to the rest of Europe in a new way will play its part amongst the nations in the pursuit of the common good throughout the world.
In a fair & democratic vote, the decision was made to leave the EU. Now, no matter how you voted, we must join together, and help our country, into the future, and pray that with God’s help, our nation will prosper, but far more important, that there will be a turning to God of many people.
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
President Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address (1865)
Let this nation now rejoice for it has taken the first step, on a long journey, towards liberty, security and freedom. This referendum was not about immigration, the economy, identity, and borders. It was about the British Constitution: who rules this once great nation? Britain or the European Union.
In our rejoicing, let us pause and reflect: whither now European Union?
On Monday morning the Franco-Germanic axis, along with Italy meet to discuss the British withdrawal and the future course of the European Union.
Will a bureaucratic paper curtain (armed with the full force of European Union law) descend from Helsinki in the north to Athens in the south, from Dublin in the west to Bucharest in the east?
What about the inevitable cry for freedom, liberty and security that will arise from the Dutch, the French, the Italians and the Greeks? Will Britain abandon all support and succour for these peoples?
Or will the northern (Protestant and prosperous) countries of the European Union make plans to part from the southern (Catholic and poor) countries of the European Union? If so, will Turkey join the southern states?
These are perilous times. These are interesting times.
I am fed up with the condescending way in which you who have chosen to govern our churches ,you talk down to us as if we have never known kindness to others of a different culture ,well in case you have forgotten we have been multi cultural for well over seventy years now ,and our men & women have shed there blood to protect them , when will you start to relize our part as christeans in that process , we have a hard enough time of it defending our Christ without our church leaders keep bleeting on , I will not sanction Islam ever ! It is an evil that has crept in bit by bit there is nothing within that other than violence , to those of us that hold Democracy as a God given right to say no to such hatred to so many from freedom of choice like I have mentioned before when Moses led Gods people out of Egypt let my people go , I feel the same way as do many believe me there will be more discourse witthen the churches if you don’t change your corse as one day you will wake up to find we have had to leave through fear the very brides Christ left you to nurture as they will have been left to fall at the hands of Islam & that Sir I pray with all my heart it’s a regret you never as church leaders have to encounter ,but as I see it through your weakness to stand up against the very tyranny that Christ was against & your constant championing of a culture who’s one focus is to destroy all of the western world for total domination is by the time you wake up going to be to late , there has been more hate from the remain camp in misplaced ideology then I have encountered in my fifty six years on this planet ,& believe me I have been around the block a far few times , shocked would be an understatement ,so I put forward to you & all of the others that you need to include in your Sermans that fellow man means everyone not just those of an Islamic culture ,for this path of distruction of a civilised nation of christens has got it self so lost in its own preaching of goodwill to all men with out being discerning as to leave us feeling guilty to lock our own doors , may the Prince of Peace as I know Him guide you in these very troubled times may you seek Him truly as He is for He empowers me to see clearly with regards to those who truly seek Him in His Glory ,If Heaven had gates truly would it be heaven if you let everyone in ? No is your answer we can only enter through Him is that or is that not what we are to beleve !!
Many from Europe who have chosen to come here and now have jobs and houses and children are truly worried that this will now be taken from them. I hope that nothing is further from the truth than that. I hope and pray that the government can make an announcement on that soon to put to rest these fears which many are going through. I believe the leave vote was honourable in that democracy and the long traditions of fairness in this country were at stake. Nevertheless we now need to act with compassion and at the same time pray for those in authority.
Sir
Given that the Archbishop of Canterbury urged is to vote Remain and got involved in politics and now concealing himself behind a ‘spiritual cloak’ after the people voted to leave; will he now resign?
After all he has repudiated Article 37 of the Church of England’s Article of Religion.
XXXVII. Of the Civil Magistrates
The King’s Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other his Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be, subject to any foreign Jurisdiction.
Where we attribute to the King’s Majesty the chief government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not to our Princes the ministering either of God’s Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify; but that only prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil-doers.
The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England.
The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.
It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.