The Bishop of Lichfield has defended the right of clergy to stray into politics.
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill made his comments in a Diocese of Lichfield parish magazine after complaints of a vicar being political.
He said:
“Clergy are not employees but office holders, rather like MPs. And, like MPs, their voice is safeguarded by law. This was in former generations to protect their preaching against undue political pressure from the squire or even the bishop.”
“Of course this precious freedom to preach the Gospel and its application in contemporary life without fear or favour is balanced by a responsibility to be a representative voice in the community and not to abuse the privilege of the protected pulpit.
“Most clergy know by instinct where the boundary lies and consult others when they are not sure and apologize if they get it wrong.”
