The Archbishop denounced the use of Christian iconography by far-right protesters. 

According to Justin Welby, the riots were: “detonated by lies and fuelled by deliberate misinformation, spread quickly online by bad actors with malignant motivations. Let me say clearly now to Christians that they should not be associated with any far-right group – because those groups are unchristian. Atheism or agnosticism are choices people may make, as are the different faiths, but no choice is an excuse for ignorance of others. And to remove any doubt, the Christian iconography that has been exploited by the far right is an offence to our faith, and all that Jesus was and is. Let me say clearly now to other faiths, especially Muslims, that we denounce people misusing such imagery as fundamentally antichristian. We must develop and cherish these examples of civic virtue that have been counter-messages to those of the mob,” he added. “Embracing the opportunities and challenges offered by living in such a diverse country is a task for all of us, and it is clear from the last few weeks that that work is long overdue. This (violence) is not the United Kingdom. It’s not British. It’s not English. They defile the flag that they wrap themselves in.”

In a BBC Radio 4 interview, he emphasised the importance of peace: “violence and swearing in the face of police from a distance of two foot is never going to convince anyone”.

He praised members of the community who helped rebuild properties that had been vandalised. For instance, a team of bricklayers helped rebuild a mosque in Southport; an imam in Liverpool brought food to a small group of far-right protesters; a Church of England chaplain helped to clear away debris in Sunderland and escorted coloured nurses to their work in a nearby hospital. He stressed the value of civic virtue and being a good Samaritan: “At the heart of Jesus’s teaching was a message to love God and love your neighbour – not in an emotional way, but in a tough, practical, actively seeking the flourishing of others way.”

Source: https://premierchristian.news/