Archbishop signals support for Britain staying in EU

The leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales has given a strong indication of his support for Britain remaining in the European Union, saying that a Brexit vote would lead to “complex problems”.

Apr 22, 2016

BRITAIN: The leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales has given a strong indication of his support for Britain remaining in the European Union, saying that a Brexit vote would lead to “complex problems”.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster, said there was a “long tradition in Christianity, and in Catholicism in particular, of believing in holding things together”.

He said: “To start down the path of division almost inevitably leads to further division.”

If the result of the 23 June referendum was to leave Europe, he said, “I think we would be facing more complex problems … than we would by playing an active and vigorous part with partners, with the EU.”

Speaking on the day the official referendum campaign was launched, Nichols said the “Catholic stance towards an effort such as the EU is largely supportive”.

When Pope Francis visited the European parliament, he was critical of some aspects of the institution and pointed out the great challenges facing the EU, but “he was quite clear that he expects Europe to face them together”, Nichols said.

The archbishop was expressing his personal views in response to a question at a press conference. The Catholic bishops of England and Wales produced a resolution at a conference in Leeds this week which recognised the “historic nature” of the referendum and “its implications for future generations”.

The resolution said: “The ideals which shaped this European project from the beginning were peace, subsidiarity and solidarity … Our decision in the referendum should thus be taken in the context of how best we can promote peace and justice.”

In deciding how to vote, Catholics should consider the human consequences and remember the “Christian culture” that had shaped Europe. The values of “mutual respect and civility” should be reflected, it said.

It also recognised the “justifiable concerns that many people have in relation to the EU, its institutions and the implications of increasing integration”.

Nichols told reporters: “The bishops are very clear not to be indicating to people how to vote, but these are the kinds of things [people] must consider.”

Last month, Justin Welby, the leader of the Church of England, said there was no “correct Christian view” about the referendum as God would not say vote one way or the other.

But the archbishop of Canterbury said the debate should be about Britain’s place in the world and what it does globally, rather than being “all about us”.

Total Comments:0

Name
Email
Comments