Religion Bishop calls on Christians to reclaim flag

A Church of England bishop has called on Christians to reclaim the flag and their faith from rightwing activists, saying both were being desecrated by people seeking to divide the nation.

- Harriet Sherwood

The Right Rev Arun Arora, the bishop of Kirkstall and the C of E’s co-lead on racial justice, made his comments in a sermon days after more than 110,000 people marched through London in a rightwing protest, many carrying crosses.

Some held banners and placards displaying verses from the Bible. Protesters chanted “Christ is King”, and were urged to defend “God, faith, family, homeland”.

Speaking at St James church in Manston, Leeds, Arora said Christians should not be “neutral in the face of violence and injustice. As followers of Christ, our duty is clear. To challenge those whose lips drip with vituperation and hate, to refute division and to restore dignity in building the common good”.