Senior church leaders in Liverpool have issued a statement condemning a far-right march scheduled to take place in the city this weekend.
A UKIP ‘Walk with Jesus Rally’ is set to take place on Saturday 21 March with the party calling on its supporters to "Stand for Christ in Liverpool during Lent”. The march begins at Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral which has distanced itself from the event.
In their statement, the church leaders, who include the Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, Most Rev John Sherrington as well as the Anglican Interim Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Ruth Worsley, said they wanted to "clearly and unequivocally state that this event has been organised independently of the recognised Christian community in Merseyside and resist any suggestion that it speaks on our behalf".
The leaders, who also include Rev Geoff Felton, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Mersey Synod and Rev Phil Jump, Baptist Regional Minister for Merseyside, North Wales & North West, said they stand with "the many voices of concern" surrounding the event, including Monsignor Anthony O’Brien, the Dean of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral "in strongly opposing the use of the piazza at the Metropolitan Cathedral". They said they "will continue to stand firm against hatred, prejudice, racism and bigotry in all their forms, confident that these forces will not define who we are as a society".
Describing Liverpool as a city with a "proud history of resilience, solidarity and loving its neighbour", the statement said it is "a place shaped by generations of people from many nations, cultures and faiths who have built a shared life together. That rich diversity is a testament to what can flourish when we choose unity over division. We remain committed to reflecting these values throughout our congregations and in our everyday lives."
The leaders said they wanted "not to sow discord, but to build bridges" and reiterated their commitment to "unity and to upholding the dignity of every person in our society".
They added: "The Christian message is one which speaks of God’s love for all people and we cannot accept any partisan political activity giving the impression that this is done in our name or the Christian community on Merseyside. At a time when voices of isolationism can seem loud, we have chosen to raise our voice for the common good. We stand alongside and pray for all those who seek the peace of our city, for as Jesus said: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
Other leaders who have signed the statement are Major Ian Mounford, Divisional Commander, North-West England & Isle of Man, Salvation Army, Rev Dr James Tebbutt, Chair of the North West England Methodist District, Rev Dr Tani Omideyi, Senior Leader of Love & Joy Ministries and Representative for Evangelicals, Rev Caroline Ainger, Mission Area Lead and Deputy Chair for the Liverpool Plus Mission Area of the North West England Methodist District, Rt Rev Julie Conalty, Suffragan Bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Chester and Very Rev Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool.
(Photograph shows Rev Geoff Felton, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Mersey Synod, outside Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.)