Church security comments from John Sentamu

Written by Linda Digby 05 Aug 2016
Church security comments from John Sentamu

The Archbishop of York has told Premier that clergy shouldn't be concerned about increasing security of UK churches as the responsibility lies with the police, the army and the Government. He was speaking following the killing of 84-year-old priest Fr Jacques Hamel, which led to the Met Police issuing guidance to churches. See last week’s Prayer-Alert - Church to review security arrangements. The Archbishop, who is the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England, says clergy should be focusing on being welcoming instead of worrying about security. He said, ‘That is really in the hands of both the police, the army and the Government - they're responsible for security. What we can do is make sure that we are loving of God and loving of neighbour without discrimination,’ and, ‘we're following a crucified Saviour and our job is to be as loving and sometimes as vulnerable as He was.’

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