Bishop of Leeds: Church leaders shouldn’t keep silent over Brexit risks

Speaking to the Church Times, the Lord Bishop of Leeds, who is the lead bishop for European issues in the House of Lords, said it was their duty to “tell the truth” about the consequences of Brexit, regardless of “what people think they want to hear”.

The Rt Rev Nick Baines wrote “I was told in the General Synod that the bishops were out of touch with poor people in the north, and should accept their suspicion of immigrants, [their] resentment against established politics, and populist anger.

“Try suggesting that to bishops in 1930s Germany, or 1970s USSR.”

Meanwhile, a new poll has found most Church of England bishop’s views on Brexit are opposite to most Anglicans.

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Church of England leaders should not “keep their mouths shut” over the risks of Brexit, even if the referendum indicates the majority of Brits want to leave the EU, a senior bishop has said.