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Bishop accuses 'elitist' Church of England of being embarrassed by patriotism and failing to understand 'frozen out' Brexit voters
Bishop of Burnley the Right Rev Philip North launched attack on his church
Said CofE is run by moneyed elites and has ignored interests of the people
Claimed it would not have been surprised by Brexit if it had been listening
Follows Archbishop of Canterbury and others appealing for a remain vote
By STEVE DOUGHTY, SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
2 December 2016
A Church of England bishop has accused his colleagues of failing in their duty to stand up for the family and of being embarrassed in the face of patriotism.
Bishop of Burnley the Right Rev Philip North said the CofE is run by academics and moneyed elites and has been ignoring the interests of the people.
He said if it had really been listening to the poor it would not have been surprised by the Brexit vote and the concerns of those who 'feel frozen out'.
The bishop's attack follows the embarrassment of senior Church leaders headed by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after voters disregarded their appeals to vote to remain in the EU in the June referendum.
His criticism in a Church Times article effectively accuses other prelates, who have repeatedly underlined their concern for the poor, of hypocrisy. It makes him one of the rare senior clergy in recent years to break ranks by voicing dissent.
The bishop, who was 50 yesterday, said the Church had allowed gay rights to dominate its concerns, and 'all too often middle class clergy squirm nervously during Remembrance Sunday and excise any hymns that hint of nationalism'.
He said working class people were frozen out of the economy and suffered shrinking wages, but 'they are routinely accused of xenophobia, or worse, when they express concerns about changes imposed upon their communities by those who live far away'.
Bishop North said working people felt abandoned by their own institutions and 'if the CofE was still adequately present in areas of deprivation, it would not have been surprised at the revolution in popular politics this anger caused'.
He added: 'The Church's agenda is being set not by the poor, but by academics, the moneyed elites, and certain sections of the secular media.
'We then listen to the poor on condition that what they say backs up our own pre- conceived arguments.'
He added: 'Across many communities, extended family life remains very strong. For all its frustrations, it is where most people find support, self-identity and purpose.
'But too many Anglicans seem embarrassed to stand up for the sanctity of the family.'
The bishop said that in the referendum campaign the 'leave' side had called for voters to take back control of the country, and this had resonated with them.
'It was less an anti-immigration vote than a patriotic vote from people who were fed up with having pride in their nation, its flag and its armed forces misrepresented as intolerance or racism,' he said.
END
