Cardinal Vincent Nichols June 24, ‘the morning after the night before’ in terms of the Brexit vote across Britain, prompted and continues to prompt reams of newsprint and online commentary as to the true implications of the country’s historic move.
The plethora of competing reactions at this point is made possible of course by the very real uncertainty that ensues from Britain’s act to reassert itself on the world stage, an act prompted by a large proportion of an electorate entertaining nostalgic remembrance of the world of times past, but coming in a very changed world of globalised realities.
Television broadcasts have been replete with mainly older voters recalling “how it was in the old days” before the onset of the European Union when Britain was a ‘land of hope and glory’.
Unfortunately, the very worst elements of this nationalist fervour has since come to the fore, with those who blame migrants for economic woes, and those who simply detest all things foreign, acting out their insecurities and xenophobic tendencies with an emboldened fervour.
On this, huffingtonpost.co.uk this week offered a round-up of anecdotes communicating reprehensible behaviour ranging from non-British residents being asked by random strangers if they can speak English, through notices mailed to Poles in one neighbourhood informing them that they are ‘vermin’ and should pack to leave, to outright racial abuse of non-white persons, even those born and bred in Britain.
Diners
In one such case, diners at a restaurant asked their Polish server what she had to be so pleasant about as she was about to be repatriated, to the laughter of some and, to be fair, the shock and shame of others.
Set against this, and jockeying for space between the voices of political leaders seeking to continue the war of words, have been the nation’s religious leaders whose imperative is now to appeal for calm to allow for that first transition, the one towards a rational and measured debate on Britain’s future on the other side of Brexit.
On this, www.catholicireland.net was quick off the mark in offering a round-up of those voices, and using the opportunity to present an Irish perspective through the words of the Church of Ireland’s Archbishop Michael Jackson who said of Brexit: “Many people in Ireland fear the impact that this momentous decision will have on their lives in ways that are still incalculable and unknown.”
Naturally, Catholic reaction in Britain itself has been led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, quoted on www.catholicnewsagency.com.
In addition to commenting on the “new course that will be demanding for all”, Cardinal Nichols prayed that “all will work in this task with respect and civility, despite deep differences of opinion”, and added his fervent hope that “the most vulnerable will be supported and protected, especially those who are easy targets for unscrupulous employers and human traffickers”.
This sentiment to avoid darker impulses was echoed by the Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and Archbishop John Sentamu of York. In a joint statement contained on www.christiantoday.com, the prelates called for “humility” as well as “courage” post-June 23.
“Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity,” they reminded. “We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one.”
It is to be hoped that in these truly uncertain times, such messages of diversity overcome those of difference.