Archbishop urges resistance against racism

-07/11/05

The Archbishop of Birmingham has


Archbishop urges resistance against racism

-07/11/05

The Archbishop of Birmingham has urged Catholics to non-violent resistance against racism, following the desecration of Muslim graves.

Speaking on Sunday, Vincent Nichols said he encouraged Catholics “to join with people of every race, colour and creed in resisting racism in our midst.”

It followed the desecration of Muslim graves in Handsworth Cemetery, Birmingham on Friday.

Archbishop Nichols said: “Those who desecrate the resting places of the dead have forsaken our fundamental values and are eaten up with hatred. Their actions, and any action like that, have no part in the ordering of our society. I hope they are soon brought to justice.

“For our part, we continue the solid, patient work of building understanding and harmony between all groups in our society.

Catholic bishops may be a in a stronger position than many other Christians to speak out in defence of Muslims, as senior members of the Catholics Bishops Conference have supported attempts to legislate against incitement to race and religious hatred.

Although like other Christians they have had some misgivings about the way that the proposals have been made by the Government, they have supported the idea in principle where many other Christians have ruled it out, and failed to offer any contructive alternatives which might afford Muslim groups more protections.

The Archbishop emphasised: “It is because we respect and honour every human being that we are disgusted by the actions of those who seek to spread conflict and division. The strength of our feelings is a measure of our commitment to all that is right and decent in our society. To know how deeply we feel, and to share those feelings, is part of resisting the evil
that others want to perpetrate.

“We must not imitate those who do evil by retaliating in their way. Then we are no better. But this pathway of peaceful resistance is hard. That is why true religious convictions that direct our feet in the way of peace are so important to our well-being.”


Archbishop urges resistance against racism

-07/11/05

The Archbishop of Birmingham has urged Catholics to non-violent resistance against racism, following the desecration of Muslim graves.

Speaking on Sunday, Vincent Nichols said he encouraged Catholics “to join with people of every race, colour and creed in resisting racism in our midst.”

It followed the desecration of Muslim graves in Handsworth Cemetery, Birmingham on Friday.

Archbishop Nichols said: “Those who desecrate the resting places of the dead have forsaken our fundamental values and are eaten up with hatred. Their actions, and any action like that, have no part in the ordering of our society. I hope they are soon brought to justice.

“For our part, we continue the solid, patient work of building understanding and harmony between all groups in our society.

Catholic bishops may be a in a stronger position than many other Christians to speak out in defence of Muslims, as senior members of the Catholics Bishops Conference have supported attempts to legislate against incitement to race and religious hatred.

Although like other Christians they have had some misgivings about the way that the proposals have been made by the Government, they have supported the idea in principle where many other Christians have ruled it out, and failed to offer any contructive alternatives which might afford Muslim groups more protections.

The Archbishop emphasised: “It is because we respect and honour every human being that we are disgusted by the actions of those who seek to spread conflict and division. The strength of our feelings is a measure of our commitment to all that is right and decent in our society. To know how deeply we feel, and to share those feelings, is part of resisting the evil
that others want to perpetrate.

“We must not imitate those who do evil by retaliating in their way. Then we are no better. But this pathway of peaceful resistance is hard. That is why true religious convictions that direct our feet in the way of peace are so important to our well-being.”