Welby blasts ‘deceitful leaders’ ...who can he mean?
THE Archbishop of Canterbury has used his Christmas Day sermon to reflect on the deceitfulness of ‘populist leaders’.
In what has been interpreted as a jibe at American President Donald Trump, The Most Rev Justin Welby condemned the weaknesses of ‘fallible’ politicians.
He told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral: ‘The nature of those who have power is to seek to hold on to it.
‘In 2017 we have seen tyrannical leaders that enslave their peoples, populist leaders that deceive them, corrupt leaders rob
them, even democratic, well-intentioned leaders of many parties and countries who are normal, fallible human beings.’
He spoke out against Mr Trump last month after the president shared, via Twitter, videos from far-Right group Britain First. The Archbishop said at the time: ‘It is deeply disturbing that the president of the United States has chosen to amplify the voice of far-Right extremists.’
Yesterday he added: ‘We have experienced
terrorism that kills the innocent, claiming that it is the path to freedom in God. The nature of God who has all power, and from whom all power comes, is to lay it aside for love’s sake and thus without fear, force or manipulation to offer true freedom for every human being.’
Yesterday morning the Church of England’s most senior cleric gave his message a modern twist by publishing extracts on Twitter, complete with his own hashtag.
Across the globe, the Pope put the migrant crisis at the heart of his festive reflections, saying that the story of the holy birth had particular relevance as millions of people were ‘driven from their land’. The Archbishop struck a similar note during his sermon, saying: ‘We are drawn to stories of freedom and purpose.’
He also described the annual carol service at Lambeth Palace as the ‘best part’ of his year, bringing him into contact with those from all walks of life. He said: ‘They come from all sorts of places, from people who have been trafficked into slavery to people who have known only power.’