Catholic Union Deputy Director, James Somerville-Meikle, writes:
It’s been a busy week for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Having led the Coronation service last Saturday, Justin Welby was back in Westminster this week speaking in a debate on the Illegal Migration Bill.
He described the Government’s plans to stop small boats crossing the Channel as “morally unacceptable and politically impractical.” A timely reminder perhaps that religious leaders are not there purely to provide nice words at services, but to speak truth to power and act as the nation’s conscience.
It was interesting that some of the people who commented on the beauty of the Coronation service, which had deeply Christian roots, were the same people who criticised the Archbishop for speaking out on the Bill. We cannot have it both ways.
Christianity has a contribution to make to the whole of public life, not just at Coronation services. Indeed, the essence of our faith has a public dimension.
Whatever you think of Justin Welby’s comments, it is surely right that as leader of the Church of England he is able to speak his mind on a matter of such importance. If Christians can only be seen and not heard in public life, then the pomp and pageantry of the Coronation has been in vain.