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Faith leaders sign anti-BNP pledge

18 March 2009

Faith, community and business leaders have this morning signed a giant anti-BNP pledge at Manchester Cathedral. Clergy signing include the Bishop of Bolton, the Bishop of Middleton and the only black Dean of a Cathedral, Rodgers Govender, Dean of Manchester Cathedral.

Last week, faith leaders issued the following statement regarding elections in Moston on Thursday 9 April for Manchester City Council:

“As leaders of Greater Manchester Faith Communities, we want to express our support for the local religious leaders. Alongside them, we express our concern at the racist history and policies of the British National Party, which is fielding a candidate. We say ‘No’ to the BNP’s view of the world.

We say ‘Yes’ to neighbourhoods where there is peace, justice and equality for everyone, whoever they are. Let’s beware of making certain groups in our society scapegoats in the current economic downturn. It is untrue – and only adds to the suffering. Let’s care for one another instead. The election of every local councillor makes a big impact on the daily life of a community. Unrepresentative people can only get elected when the moderate majority don’t bother to vote. So please vote in the by-election on April 9: cast your vote for the values that make a community open and welcoming, hopeful and confident.”

Signatories

GREATER MANCHESTER FAITH COMMUNITY LEADERS Christian (Presidents of Greater Manchester Churches Together who live within Greater Manchester)

From the Church of England:

Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch (Bishop of Manchester)
Rt Revd Stephen Lowe (Bishop of Hulme, Bishop of Urban Life and Faith – a national appointment)
Rt Revd Chris Edmondson (Bishop of Bolton)
Rt Revd Mark Davies (Bishop of Middleton)
Rt Revd Martyn Jarrett (Bishop of Beverley – Provincial Episcopal Visitor and an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Manchester)

From the Catholic Church of England and Wales:

Rt Revd Terence Brain (Bishop of Salford)

From the Methodist Church:

Revd Keith Davies, Chair, Manchester and Stockport District
Revd David King, Chair, Bolton and Rochdale District

From the Salvation Army:

Major Mel Jones, North West Divisional Leader

From the United Reformed Church:

Revd Richard Church, Moderator, North West Synod

From the Christian Way of Life Churches (a black-led Pentecostal church network)

Bishop Dr Doyé Teido Agama

From the Baptist Church

Revd Andrew Funnell, Regional Minister – Pastoral, Baptist Church (North West Association)

Jewish

Mr Louis Rapaport, previous President, Jewish Representative Council, Manchester
Mr David Arnold, previous President, Jewish Representative Council, Manchester
Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, Whitefield Synagogue (Orthodox Judaism)
Mrs Barbara Goldstone, President, Jewish Representative Council, Manchester