'Tragic’ Jacob Rees-Mogg blasts ‘defeatist’ Church of England amid Christianity failures

The Tory MP says the underpinnings of British society are built upon Christian values, whether it be through its rule of law or symbols.

Rees-Mogg argued that Britain continues to be a Christian state, despite what has been claimed by a significant number of Church of England priests.

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“The European Union is essentially an atheistic state, where is the United Kingdom? It is a Christian state”, he said on GB News.

“It continues to be so despite what these clerics have to say, based on our law and our constitution.

“If we look at policies that have been implemented in this country, look at the influence of Christianity for some of our great campaigners in the 19th century.

“The underpinning of our whole society is based on the gospels. We see it not just in our laws, but in the symbols of society.

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“Just look at the Coronation, it is a ceremony that St Dunstan would have been familiar with.

“Look at the symbols of secular authority, you would have seen on the news the Royal Coat of Arms outside the Royal Courts of Justice. What is in the centre? A crown with a cross on it.

“The cross is throughout our public life. We may not be perfect, but we are a Christian nation.

“What is so tragic is the defeatist nature of the Church of England.”

Much of the criticism levelled at the Church of England has been aimed at the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who has weighed in on political issues facing the country.

Welby claimed in May that it is his “duty” to take aim at Rishi Sunak’s Government over its policy to stop boats making the treacherous 21-mile journey across the Channel.

The Archbishop of Canterbury took issue with the Prime Minister’s Rwanda plan, warning bishops “will not abandon” their opposition.

Welby wrote in The Times: “They face indefinite detention in grim conditions, at constant risk of severe destitution, and now face the prospect of being sent to Rwanda. And yet Channel crossings are set to see record numbers this year.”

Rees-Mogg said he sympathises with Welby, despite his efforts to stifle the Government’s approach.

“He has such a difficult job”, he said.

“It appears today his job is even harder because his own clerics don’t have the positive outlook of proselytisation of Christianity.”

The survey, carried out by The Times, analysed responses from 1,200 serving priests, the term coined for all ordained people who can celebrate sacraments such as Holy Communion.

Asked whether they believe Britain “can or cannot be described as a Christian country”, only 24.2 per cent answered: “Yes, Britain can be described as a Christian country today”, while 64.2 per cent said Britain can be called Christian “but only historically, not currently”.

The remaining 9.2 per cent of respondents simply answered “no”.