Methodist leaders and Archbishop of Canterbury call for end to anger and vitriol in public debate

The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Michaela Youngson, and the Vice-President, Mr Bala Gnanapragasam, met with the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday 9 January. The meeting discussed progress on the Anglican-Methodist Covenant and closer working and understanding in mission and evangelism between the two Churches.

As part of the conversation, those present reflected on the current political situation in Britain.  Following this discussion, the Archbishop, the President and Vice-President have made the following joint statement:

“Jesus calls us to love one another, and even to love our enemies. In this time of political turmoil we have been shocked at the anger and vitriol that has surrounded so much public discourse, personally, online and via social media. Our Christian heritage, along with other global faith and non-faith traditions, calls for us to treat others as we would wish to be treated. This does not mean the absence of passionate difference, but it does call for respect for human dignity.”