Anglo-German church leaders urge 'fair & sustainable solutions' to future UK-EU relationship

Archbishop Justin Welby and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace [Photo: Lambeth Palace]

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the leader of the Protestant Church in Germany, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, have issued an urgent appeal “to all politicians to find fair and sustainable solutions for the future coexistence of the UK and the EU”.

The Church leaders made their plea in a joint statement at a time when the British government and the European Commission are finalising a deal to revoke the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Bishop Heinrich visited Lambeth Palace, the London offices and official residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury, for two days last month, during which the Church leaders drew up their joint statement.

“Europe is changing but the Church of God remains constant in its witness”, they said. “The deep commitment that we have to one another is not based on our common membership of the European Union but on our membership of the body of Christ.” [ACNS]