The Church of England has formally banned its clergy from being members of the British National Party (BNP) or the National Front, ruling that the parties' views are incompatible with Christian teaching on racial equality. Clergy found to be members face disciplinary procedures, including potential defrocking.
The ban, the first of its kind against any political party, follows a 2012 General Synod legislation that made membership of parties with policies contrary to church teaching on race equality 'unbecoming or inappropriate' conduct. The declaration will be debated at the Synod meeting in York next month; if not debated, it will automatically come into force.
A church spokesman said the UK Independence Party (UKIP) was not included as it was not 'overtly racist,' and the English Defence League was excluded due to its lack of formal structure. The BNP, which has faced infighting and legal challenges over its discriminatory constitution, criticized the move as politicization of the church.
