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AP Photo/Francois Mori
UK News

Exclusive: Church security is not the responsibility of clergy says John Sentamu

Dr John Sentamu has been speaking following the killing of 84-year-old priest Fr Jacques Hammel, who died at the hands of Islamic State extremists at his church in Normandy.

The incident lead to the Met Police issuing guidance to churches.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: "Following recent events in France, we are reiterating our protective security advice to Christian places of worship and have circulated specific advice today.

"We are also taking this opportunity to remind them to review their security arrangements as a precaution.

AP Photo/Francois Mori

French police officers stand guard in front of the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray's city hall, Normandy, France, after an attack on a church that left a priest dead. 

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 this weekend.

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 discriminating anybody."

Responding to whether we may see similar style terror attacks in the UK, he said: "Will we experience the same difficulty? What I would say is Jesus - even he - wasn't protected.

"They arrested him in the middle of the night. He ended up being executed."

"People pay taxes in order that the government protects them.

"For churches - be aware of the possibility they could face the same difficulty but we're following a crucified Saviour and our job is to be as loving and sometimes as vulnerable as he was."

AP Photo/Francois Mori

Earlier this week, the Church in Wales issued guidance to parishes.

Bishop of St Asaph Dr Gregory Cameron said: "Try and be aware when services are going on, be conscious of who's coming and who's going and ...try to avoid particularly isolated or vulnerable areas."

Listen to Dr John Sentamu speaking to Premier's Rosie Wright.

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