ANGLICAN CHURCHES IN SWEDEN CLARIFY POLICY ON USE OF CHURCH BUILDINGS

Churches of the Church of England Diocese in Europe have agreed not to continue an arrangement where a group of Roman Catholics in irregular relationship to Rome uses their building after a television programme highlighted the extreme attitudes of some members of that group.

The Society of St Pius X, a traditionalist body set up by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefèvre, had been using Anglican church premises in Stockholm and Gothenburg for their masses. However, a Swedish television programme aired on 22nd January 2009 disclosed that one of the Society’s bishops, Richard Williamson, holds some controversial anti-Semitic and Islamophobic views, and has made statements denying the holocaust.

When the irregular status of the Society of Saint Pius X with the Roman Catholic Church came to light the Chaplain of the Anglican Church of St Peter and St Sigfrid in Stockholm Rev Nick Howe and his Church Council unanimously voted to end the arrangement on using their buildings.

Similarly, in Gothenburg where another group of the Society had been meeting in St Andrew’s Anglican church the group were asked not to meet there in future and a notice to that effect has been displayed on the church door.

Rev Barbara Moss, Chaplain of St Andrew’s said after the programme:   

“I dissociate myself and my congregation in St Andrew’s Gothenburg from the anti-Semitism and Islamophobia of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefèvre, the holocaust denial of Bishop Williamson, and the extreme right-wing views and affiliations attributed in the programme Uppdrag Granskning (21/1/2009) to many of the local contacts of the Society of St Pius X.

“My thoughts and prayers are with those who were saddened or shocked by the programme, especially members and friends of my own congregation.

“The St Andrew’s Church Committee has told the Society of St Pius X that they may no longer use the church premises in Gothenburg.

”The Church of England Diocese in Europe is confirming guidelines on church-sharing in response to the current controversy. The situation in Europe can be complex taking into account local customs, national laws and historic precedents. In many locations English speaking Anglican congregations often rely on other churches for hospitality to allow services to take place.”