Rival campaigns gear up to win over Christians in EU referendum battle
by Tim Wyatt, Church Times:
TWO rival campaigns have been established to persuade Christians how to vote in the EU referendum.
Christians for Britain has been set up by Canon Giles Fraser, Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s, Newington, in south London, a former canon at St Paul’s Cathedral and Church Times columnist, and Adrian Hilton, who runs the blog Archbishop Cranmer, to urge a “Leave” vote on 23 June.
Shortly after it came into being, the Very Revd Michael Sadgrove, who retired as Dean of Durham last year, established a group, Christians for the EU, to urge a vote to “Remain”.
Both organisations are, at present, little more than websites and social-media accounts, but they intend to hold public meetings and debates in the build-up to the referendum in June.
Mr Sadgrove said that he was glad that Canon Fraser and Mr Hilton were articulating a Christian argument to vote to leave, and was keen to make the opposite case.
“I think there is a need for more than one Christian voice, because we are as divided as the rest of the population. It’s a way of getting Christians talking to one another about what is going to be the most significant vote we will cast in a generation.”
Mr Hilton said that plans were already in place for a debate between the two campaigns, which would probably take place in Westminster nearer the date of the referendum.
“It would be all in good Christian love and wholesome disagreement,” he said, “as clearly there is a need for Christians to be informed.” Christians for Britain have already been asked to speak at churches and hustings.
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