from Christian Today
The President of the Nelson Society has described St Paul’s Cathedral’s decision to partner with a nightclub as a “sad reflection” on modern Christianity.
London nightclub Fabric has signed a four-year deal with the Cathedral to hold events there, with a gig already planned for the near future.
Although this first of presumably many events is meant to be seated, it has still been described as “dancing on Nelson’s grave”.
Horatio Nelson was the naval commander whose victory against a Franco-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar 200 years ago arguably cemented Britain’s global dominance for a century. Without it, the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade may never have happened.
Peregrine Hood, a descendent of Nelson’s brother, and current head of the Nelson Society, told The Telegraph, “Is nothing sacred any more? What a sad reflection on where spiritual integrity and Christianity are today. St Paul’s Cathedral positioning itself in this way is deeply depressing.
“This extends far beyond Nelson. St Paul’s is one of the great sacred spaces of Christianity and a place of enormous significance to our national life and history.
“Nelson came from a family steeped in the Church, and perhaps it is this misuse of a holy site that would have caused him even greater unease than the prospect of dancing on his grave.”
The controversy follows concerns about similar events held in Canterbury Cathedral, where the “rave in the nave” was described by critics as a “desecration”.