Twitter
Advertisement

Christians urged to wear cross after moves to 'sideline' faith

Church leaders are today calling on Christians to wear the cross to show pride in their faith in the face of attempts to “sideline” Christianity in public life.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the Scottish Roman Catholic leader, are among those this Easter urging Christians to demonstrate their beliefs publicly after a series of cases placing religious freedom in the spotlight.

Shirley Chaplin, a nurse who was moved to a desk job for refusing to take off a cross, joined them in calling for Christians to stand up for their beliefs.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and other Anglican leaders spoke out about the importance of the cross to Christians.

The appeal came as Christians marked Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

David Cameron spoke this week of a Christian fightback reasserting the place of religion after a series of cases won by secular campaigners.

In recent years, Christians have been prevented from wearing crosses to work, praying for medical patients and - until a change in the law - barred from including prayers in council meetings.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights will consider a landmark test case on religious freedom in Britain later this year, bringing together four separate cases, including that of Mrs Chaplin.

Government lawyers will argue that Christians do not have the right to wear a cross at work because it is not viewed as an essential component of Christianity.

Lord Carey described the cross as an indispensable image of Christianity.

"I have no doubt that those who have tried to impose restrictions on the wearing of crosses are either deliberately or inadvertently attempting to sideline the Christian faith," he said.

"I would like all Christians, men as well as women, to wear the cross publicly."

He added, "It is an iconic symbol of Christ's sufferings for us all, his humiliation and yet his glory. There could be no talk of Christ's resurrection without the cross. St Paul talks of glorying in the cross."

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the former leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, said: "It would be a great pity if overt symbols were somehow airbrushed out of public life and people's choices.

"Most people in this country would feel that people should be free to wear a religious symbol, provided it is not overtly offensive to anybody else, and, of course, the cross is part of the traditions of the country."

Cardinal O'Brien will use his Easter homily on Sunday to urge Catholics to wear the cross and to consider giving crosses as gifts instead of Easter eggs. He will say: "Why shouldn't each and every Christian similarly wear proudly a symbol of the cross of Christ on their garments each and every day of their lives?"

The Archbishop of York said that Good Friday should be a celebration. "On the cross of Christ love triumphs over darkness," he said.

Mrs Chaplin, 56, from Exeter, said people "should not be afraid" to wear the cross. "It demonstrates that Christianity is not a minority issue any more, that the country needs to stand up and show that it is proud of its faith," she said.

"We welcome all minorities - we are very culturally aware - but we seem to have put Christianity on the back burner. It would be nice to see it brought to the forefront again."
 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement