The Diocese of Southwark has confirmed that some members of the far-right Patriot Platform movement have been attending worship at one of its churches.
The confirmation follows a report by Searchlight magazine that more than 25 members of the group are attending a Church of England church in Morden, south London, and are considering baptism.
That figure was attributed by Searchlight to Jason Armstrong, a member of the South London Patriots and a churchwarden at the church, who spoke on the Christian YouTube channel Tough Talk.
Among those reported to have attended the church is Patriot Platform leader Danny Tommo, whose real name is Daniel Thomas.
He made headlines this week after being charged with criminal damage over an alleged incident involving a boat in the English Channel. He has denied the charge.
Responding to concerns about the group's presence at one of its churches, the Diocese said it was aware that “some members of the ‘Patriot Platform’ movement have been attending worship at one of the churches in our diocese”.
The bishops said concerns had been raised “about the language and actions of this group and how they are proclaiming the Christian faith in association with anti-migrant rhetoric”.
They also stressed that churches across the Diocese welcome people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
“Each week churches across our diocese welcome through their doors people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, political and ideological perspectives. We believe that the gospel is for everyone – that we all need God and that those who seek him in faith will find him.”
But they made clear that this welcome does not mean endorsing a person's views or behaviour.
“Nevertheless, we - alongside the leadership of the church in question - deplore any kind of violent or menacing behaviour, behaviour which is contrary to the law, or which denies the dignity and rights of others.”
“Welcoming people through our doors does not mean condoning their actions or agreeing with all their views. But we do believe in the transforming power of the gospel to change and to heal us and we continue to preach the gospel to that end.”
The statement also addressed Christian nationalism directly, with the bishops saying: “We find in the Bible no grounds for the justification of Christian nationalism.”
The Diocese said its position was also rooted in its wider commitments: “Southwark Diocese has a long-held commitment to the tough work of anti-racism, to interfaith cooperation and to advocacy for the marginalised and oppressed.”
It concluded: “We remain committed to the inclusion and flourishing of all people - and the focus of our worship will always be the God who has revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ.”