Southwark Bishops Denounce Christian Nationalism Following Local Church Protests

Bishops in the Diocese of Southwark have issued a joint statement condemning Christian nationalism, asserting that the ideology lacks biblical justification. Acting Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Kingston Martin Gainsborough, and Bishop of Woolwich Alastair Cutting released the statement after members of the Patriot Platform movement attended a local church. The group, associated with activist Danny Tommo, has been involved in protests against illegal immigration via small boats in the English Channel.

The bishops expressed concern regarding the group's use of Christian faith in connection with anti-migrant rhetoric. While emphasizing that the gospel is intended for everyone, the leadership stated they deplore any behavior that is menacing, illegal, or denies the dignity of others. This intervention follows recent public criticism from Church of England officials, including MP Marsha de Cordova, who argued that Christian nationalism is incompatible with Christian values.

Other perspectives on the movement remain varied. Oxford theologian Lord Biggar suggested that such sentiments may reflect a form of spiritual hunger, while the Evangelical Alliance has identified four distinct orientations of Christian nationalism. A recent poll indicated that while a quarter of British Christians identify with the term, there is significant disagreement regarding its definition.