On 27 January 2015 the Maranatha Community in the United
Kingdom presented a statement in the Houses of Parliament regarding ‘The characteristics
of our British national identity’. The meeting, chaired by Fiona Bruce MP, was
attended by members of Parliament, various faith leaders and members of the
public. The meeting was introduced by Dennis Wrigley, co-founder
and co-leader of the Maranatha Community, who said the following:
“Our British values are firmly
rooted in Judeo-Christian inheritance…it is not a question of making a
Christian assertion but recognising what the historians have noted over
centuries. Every man, woman and child is of value…These foundations if removed
will lead to the collapse of our society.”
Presentations then followed from Phil Quenby who gave a
historical perspective, John Scriven from a legal perspective, Edmund
Matyjaszek as Headmaster, and His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the
Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
who spoke of the importance of the issue at this time in the
life of our nation, and within the context of global events.
In speaking of the nature of British society, Bishop
Angaelos said:
“It is not about declaring
ourselves a Christian country, but continuing to be a country that embraces all
according to the Christian origins of its laws and ideology.”
Commenting on the common misconception that Christianity is
exclusive and alienating he went on to say:
“It is disconcerting that whenever
Christians overtly live their faith and speak of Christian understanding and
values, they are often perceived to be radicals who reject all others; yet this
is certainly not the case. What we must remember as Christians however, is that
in speaking prophetically and powerfully we must at the same time speak with
sensitivity and empathy.”
In conclusion His Grace offered words of encouragement,
saying:
“Through a realised, truly
lived and visible unity as Christians, we must work within our complex societies
and through obstacles set before us to always give a reason for the hope that
is in us.”
After the presentations speakers took questions from the
floor, and Dennis Wrigley concluded with the following aims:
“The need for a recognition of
a set of values is desperately and urgently needed before the general election…the
time has now come for Christians to define how human love and human kindness in
the name of Jesus operates…there is hope when we reaffirm our values.”
After the meeting the statement was delivered to 10 Downing
Street for the Rt. Hon. David Cameron as well as to Buckingham Palace for Her
Majesty the Queen.
