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UK News

Church involvement in politics "annoys some politicians"

In a letter to the Mail on Sunday newspaper Dr John Sentamu said the Church had no choice but to be involved because it had to follow the example of Jesus.

"Faith centred on Jesus Christ insists that concern for others' wellbeing means political involvement (that is the deliberation and participation in how we are to be governed)," he wrote.

The Church of England was criticised by some when it published a guide for voters on the issues they should consider ahead of May's election.

But Dr Sentamu said it was "absurd" to suggest there were areas of God's world that are out of bounds to Him.

The Church taking an interest in how we are governed "annoys some politicians and their supporters who want a monopoly over public affairs," the archbishop said.

"When they pillory bishops and others for daring to invade the territory hitherto regarded as their private preserve, they are suggesting there are some areas of God's world that are out of bounds to Him. That is as absurd as it sounds.

"God is creator of the Cosmos and that includes the Palace of Westminster and the White House. There are followers of Jesus Christ in all the main political parties in the UK. It is not for me to tell their fellow church members how to vote next month, but I will encourage them to use their vote."

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