Church of England Bans Clergy from ‘Un-Christian’ BNP and National Front

Bishops have formally declared the two groups to be "incompatible
with the teaching of the Church of England" because of their stance
on "equality of persons or groups of different races"

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bishops declare race policies of far right parties such as the BNP and the National Front as a “blatant denial of the Christian faith”

Church of England clergy face being defrocked if they are found to be members of the BNP or National Front after bishops ruled that their views are un-Christian and promote the “sin of racism”.

It is the first time Anglican priests have formally been banned from membership of any political party.

Bishops declared the two groups to be “incompatible with the teaching of the Church of England” because of their respective stances on “equality of persons or groups of different races”.

Clergy who defy the ban would be subject to disciplinary procedures under a clause in canon law which requires them to be “wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ” in their public and private lives.

It follows a vote in the governing General Synod four years ago calling for the church to adopt a similar policy towards the two groups as police forces already have.

Bishops agreed to impose the ban after legal advice that the Church could not be sued under human rights law for curtailing clerics’ free speech. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Tuesday, June 03, 2014