{"id":1675,"date":"2026-03-18T22:57:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T22:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=1675"},"modified":"2026-03-18T23:03:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T23:03:21","slug":"statement-from-ctmr-ukip-opposition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/?page_id=1675","title":{"rendered":"Statement from CTMR – UKIP Opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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CTMR Statement <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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We are sharing this Statement from Churches Together on Merseyside<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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In response to the many voices of concern surrounding the recently advertised UKIP \u2018Walk with Jesus Rally\u2019, we wish to clearly and unequivocally state that this event has been organised independently of the recognised Christian community on Merseyside and resist any suggestion that it speaks on our behalf. In the light of this, we stand with Monsignor Anthony O\u2019Brien in strongly opposing the use of the piazza at the Metropolitan Cathedral and wish to make clear our shared commitment to love, justice and compassion. We will continue to stand firm against hatred, prejudice, racism and bigotry in all their forms, confident that these forces will not define who we are as a society.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Liverpool has a proud history of resilience, solidarity and loving its neighbour. Often described as \u2018the world in one city,\u2019 it is a place shaped by generations of people from many nations, cultures and faiths who have built a shared life together. That rich diversity is a testament to what can flourish when we choose unity over division. We remain committed to reflecting these values throughout our congregations and in our everyday lives.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Our calling is not to sow discord, but to build bridges; not to exclude, but to welcome; not to inflame fear, but to practise compassion. In that spirit, we are dedicated to unity and to upholding the dignity of every person in our society. The Christian message is one which speaks of God\u2019s love for all people and we cannot accept any partisan political activity giving the impression that this is done in our name or the Christian community on Merseyside.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

At a time when voices of isolationism can seem loud, we have chosen to raise our voice for the common good. We stand alongside and pray for all those who seek the peace of our city, for as Jesus said: \u201cLove your neighbour as yourself.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

We hold Liverpool and its people in our prayers.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

We pray for our city<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

A place of home<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Where the waters of the Mersey<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Have brought many to our shores<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

And been a gateway to countless horizons<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

May she be a place<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Where every citizen<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Finds worth and belonging<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Where our faith in each other<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Is never overcome<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

By narratives of division and deceit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Where truth and understanding prevail<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Against interests that are served<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

By silence and deception<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Where all can work together<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Releasing the potential of our shared desire for good<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

We pray this in Jesus name.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Signed:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Rev\u2019d Geoff Felton, Moderator of the Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Rev\u2019d Phil Jump, Baptist Regional Minister for Merseyside, North Wales & North West<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Major Ian Mounford, Divisional Commander, North-West England & Isle of Man, Salvation Army<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Most Rev\u2019d John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Rev\u2019d Dr James Tebbutt, Chair of the North West England Methodist District<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Rev\u2019d Dr Tani Omideyi, Senior Leader of Love & Joy Ministries and Representative for Evangelicals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Right Rev\u2019d Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Rev\u2019d Caroline Ainger, Mission Area Lead and Deputy Chair for the Liverpool Plus Mission Area of the North West England Methodist District<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Right Rev\u2019d Julie Conalty, Suffragan Bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Chester<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The Very Rev\u2019d Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Rev\u2019d Monsignor Anthony O\u2019Brien, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CTMR Statement We are sharing this Statement from Churches Together on Merseyside In response to the many voices of concern surrounding the recently advertised UKIP \u2018Walk with Jesus Rally\u2019, we wish to clearly and unequivocally state that this event has been organised independently of the recognised Christian community on Merseyside and resist any suggestion that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1675","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1675"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1679,"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1675\/revisions\/1679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinitypalmgrove.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}