HG Bishop Angaelos took part in 'High-Level meeting' at the European Parliament regarding the worldwide persecution of Christians, and later spoke at the Maranatha Community Annual Lecture in Manchester on the role of Faith in Politics.

2 December 2015

Held within the framework of Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), a meeting hosted by Mr. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament and Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Parliament, was held at the European Parliament on 1 December 2015 themed ‘The persecution of Christians in the world- A call for action.'

Contributors spoke on the condition of Christians facing persecution across the world, and provided case studies for the Balkans, Pakistan, Sinai, Iraq, and Eritrea. At the meeting, HG Bishop Angaelos stressed the essential need for collaborative advocacy in efforts to help those persecuted worldwide.

After the meeting Bishop Angaelos spoke with both the President and Vice-President of the European Parliament of the need to find ways of future collaboration and co-operation. Speaking from Brussels Bishop Angaelos went on to say:

“It was an effective gathering of people who are very active and committed to working for the persecuted and vulnerable around the world. What is clear however, is that we need to continue finding ways to collaborate without losing the individuality of organisations, but in such a way as to maximise the impact of our combined efforts.”

Later in the day, Bishop Angaelos returned to the United Kingdom to deliver the annual address at the annual Maranatha Community Lecture on ‘Faith in Politics.’

Speaking on the role of Faith in politics he said:     

“Our Christian Faith is an intrinsic part of who we are, as created in the Image and Likeness of God, and so it is meant to be indivisible from who we are and what we do at all times. Our Faith must always determine our ethics, morals, principles and actions.”    

Addressing those involved in politics, Bishop Angaelos said:    

“It is within the context of our Faith, forming our identity, that we must speak boldly, but doing so in a way that makes sense to those listening. In presenting our principles, aspirations and demands, what we say must always be relevant and gracious, and spoken in such a way that ensures it is heard and understood.”

Speaking about advocacy and politics, he went on to say:          

“Christians have a responsibility to advocate and speak for the rights and freedoms of all those for whom those rights are threatened or violated, regardless of their religion. We should be able to speak for justice, equality and God-given human rights, as this is core to our Faith. Religious leaders must act as a moral compass, not a driving force affected by party politics...”          

Bishop Angaelos concluded with a passage from Scripture, highlighting the power and beauty of unity and the boldness of true witness:     

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance... And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers…and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” (Acts 2:1,4,43)

HG Bishop Angaelos speaks at the Houses of Parliament regarding 'The characteristics of our British national identity'

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.

 A copy of the statement is available here.