Amid chaos with Brexit, the Church of England is praying for some divine help in healing Brexit divisions. Christians
Christians across the country this weekend took part in special prayer sessions. The Church is promoting it as the initiative as "tea and prayer drop-ins", two of the known comforting things to a Britisher.
“It doesn't matter whether you voted leave or remain, we're still one humanity, one nation,” Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, said.
Despite a sharp decline in church attendance, Cottrell believes faith still has the power to unite the country after Brexit.
“Those British values of care for the underdog, care for the stranger, tolerance”.
Worshipper Angela Sadler, 65, said the church needed to play a larger role in helping resolve the broader issues surrounding the crisis.
In December 2018, Church of England bishops said they were praying for “courage, integrity and clarity for our politicians.” and in February this year, Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wanted to plan a public prayer with leaders of the Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed churches on the day after Britain leaves. But this was before the fallout over the March 29 deadline.
As the floor was opened to parishioners, one woman called for help in being “patient”, something she was struggling with in the inescapable and ever-growing crisis. It has been three years since a hugely divisive referendum over Britain's EU membership. Ever since, British PM Theresa May has been negotiating and renegotiating deals to leave the EU. All which have been rejected by the House of Commons.
Last week, the MPs voted to take control of the process. In light of recent events, May might step down from post of PM giving way to a new leader who will them steer them to a Brexit. In light of recent events, however, a no-deal Brexit is unavoidable as European nations have extended the deadline merely by two weeks. The new deadline is April 12 during which time Britain may decide to stand in European elections. And if till that time a conclusion is not reached, there could be an infinite delay. Many Britons now want their leaders to see Article 50 revoked and Brexit cancelled altogether.
Another echoed the bishop's call for a return to “traditional values”, although the definition of what those values are is one of many debates swirling around Brexit, highlighting the challenges in uniting the country around a common message.
A recent survey found that around four in 10 British adults have been left feeling powerless, angry or worried by Brexit, exposing the mental toll being taken on citizens.
The early-morning service began with a reading of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke's gospel, chosen as a warning against the divisiveness of moral hubris.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted,” the parable ends.
“The reading is about how we define ourselves, we've got to stop defining ourselves by whether we voted leave or remain,” said Cottrell, who also sits in the parliament's House of Lords.
