EU referendum could leave Britain 'dispirited and divided', Archbishop warns
Justin Welby has warned that the EU referendum could leave Britain "dispirited and divided."
The Archbishop of Canterbury's comments came as he launched a website today entitled 'Re-imagining Europe'. The aim is to create a platform for informed Christian reflection and debate on Britain's future relationship with the European Union.
"It is a platform on which we can seek out new ways of disagreeing well that leaves us energised and revitalised, not dispirited and divided," wrote Welby.
"The contributors – who will be drawn from as wide a spectrum as possible – will, as a group, invite us to imagine what types of relationship with Europe we need to encourage human flourishing. Their views will vary widely."
The website is a joint initiative of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland as an attempt to lead a Christian debate about the future of Britain's relationship with the EU.
Alongside Welby's comments, Dr Angus Morrison, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has written an article to launch the site.
"This blog is a platform for various voices to share their ideas," he said, "but most importantly for readers to learn and reflect."
Re-imagining Europe announced it had no editorial line beyond communicating Christian reflection and commentary.
"Its purpose is not to campaign, but that all of us may gain in understanding and respect for political ideas even, or particularly, if we find ourselves in disagreement," Morrison said.
In his blog, Morrison insisted the Church of Scotland's support of Britain remaining in the EU would have no editorial effect on the blog posts.
"Unlike the Scottish independence referendum, where the Church of Scotland chose to remain impartial, our General Assembly does have a longstanding view that continued EU membership is in the best interests of Scotland, Britain and the EU," he said.
"This of course does not mean that we will be telling people from the pulpit how they should vote, but I hope it shows that we are up for a vibrant and energising debate."
