The Archbishop of York has given a sermon at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, clearly pointing the finger at the government following the announcement of the mini-budget.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s new plans have been heavily criticised by the Labour Party, who accuse him of only seeking to “make the rich, richer.”
Most Rev Stephen Cottrell opened the sermon at St James in the City Church by saying: “We need to talk much more about the huge discrepancies of wealth and opportunities in our nation.
“The way that we’re not a very United Kingdom, and the way that we need new vision and new hope for everybody, but particularly for the so many left behind communities. “
The Archbishop preached on the readings: 1 Timothy 6:6-19 and Luke 16:19 – end. They were read by Sarah Owen MP and Sir Stephen Timms MP.
The readings were chosen from the lectionary - meaning many people across the world will hear the same passages today - but the Archbishop joked that many gathered at the conference may find them “astonishingly and alarmingly relevant”.
He continued: “The obvious text to preach on are ‘those who wants to get rich fall into temptation,’ ‘The love of money is the root of all evil’, or even ‘command those who are rich in this present world, not to be arrogant, or to put their hope in wealth’.
All these texts are important. They are very relevant; especially - I'm trying to be as diplomatic as I can - for those who believe that wealth trickles down.
“Those who don't have wealth, and especially the poor, they know that wealth gathers and expands in the aquifers and coffers of the wealthy and is very, very carefully guarded.
“No, I'm not going to preach on those themes,” he concluded – earning laughter from the congregation.
“I want to preach on what are almost the very last words of Paul's letter to Timothy,” he continued. “Where he writes be rich in good deeds.”
The service was held in partnership with Langley House Trust , a Christian charity which supports people who have offended or who are at risk of offending so that they reintegrate into society, live crime-free and thrive.
It is available to watch via the Christians on the Left Youtube channel.