Christian groups express solidarity with 'Occupy London' campers

Tents in front of St Paul's

Growing numbers of people have joined the protest camp which started in front St Paul's Cathedral last week, after police refused to allow them near the London Stock Exchange - mirroring a protest which is taking place in Wall Street, New York. Initially Cathedral authorities welcomed the protesters, but on Friday they decided to close the Cathedral to visitors, and ask the protesters to leave, because of safety concerns. Protest organisers said they were surprised about this decision, as they had been careful to comply with safety regulations. A spokesman said they are holding further discussions and hope to reach an amicable arrangement with the Cathedral.

In his statement on Friday, the Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles said: "It seems a very long time since the protesters arrived around the Cathedral last weekend and I want to stress at the outset that we have listened to them and indeed developed a conversation with them.

"We are delighted that the London protests have been peaceful and indeed there has been a good atmosphere generally between Cathedral staff and those dwelling in the tents around St Paul’s.

"There is something profound about protest being made and heard in front of this most holy place: a gathering together of those concerned about poverty and inequality facing the great Dome of this Cathedral Church.

"You actually have to be here to witness it for yourself because the extent of feeling and protest is not easily translated via media in that sense.

"But it is about the practical and safety issues which this peaceful protest has raised which I need to address with you today.

"It should be obvious to anyone approaching the Cathedral that the size of the camp and the consequent compliance issues which it inevitably raises, has increasingly put us in a difficult position.

"Last night, I met with members of the Chapter to discuss some of these key issues. As the week has gone on, and in a statement we issued earlier this week, we intimated how difficult the situation was becoming.

"As a result of that meeting, and reports received today from our independent Health, Safety and Fire officers, I have written an open letter to the protestors this afternoon advising them that we have no lawful alternative but to close St Paul’s Cathedral until further notice. I have here copies of the letter clearly outlining the reasons we have had to take this dramatic course of action which I will ask my colleagues to distribute.

"The Health, Safety and Fire officers have pointed out that access to and from the Cathedral is seriously limited. With so many stoves and fires and lots of different types of fuel around, there is a clear fire hazard. Then there is the public health aspect which speaks for itself. The dangers relate not just to Cathedral staff and visitors but are a potential hazard to those encamped themselves.

"The decision to close St Paul’s Cathedral is unprecedented in modern times and I have asked the Registrar to implement emergency procedures whereby the building remains closed but fit for purpose until such a time that we can open safely. Our 200 staff and 100 volunteers are also being informed of this decision this afternoon.

"I want to say two simple things at this point.

1) We have done this with a very heavy heart, but it is simply not possible to fulfil our day to day obligations to worshippers, visitors and pilgrims in current circumstances.

2) That all of the Chapter are at one on this and recognise the complexities of the issues facing us at this time.

"As you can see in the open letter, I am asking the protestors to recognise the huge issues facing us at this time and asking them to leave the vicinity of the building so that the Cathedral can re-open as soon as possible. So many people who visit this great Cathedral come here, of course, because they love the Gospel of justice, peace and reconciliation (which some of the protestors are embracing for a whole host of reasons) but also because they want to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a place of prayer and pilgrimage.

"Some will rightly say that the Church should be alongside those seeking equality and financial probity. We are. The debate about a more just society is at the heart of much of our work at St Paul’s and indeed we hope to contribute to the wider debate in the very near future through a Report from the St Paul’s Institute.

"But today is about our ability, practically, to carry on our mission with free and open access to this public space and treasured place and I hope that the protestors will understand the issues we are facing, recognise that their voice has been legitimately heard, and withdraw peacefully."

On Monday several more faith groups joined the gathering and one tent has been set aside for prayer and meditation. In a statement, some Christian supporters wrote in a statement:

"As Christians, we stand alongside people of all religions and none who are resisting economic injustice with active nonviolence. We offer our greetings to people engaged in occupations of financial centres throughout the world.

"We seek to witness to the love and justice of God, proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Jesus said that he had come to 'set free the oppressed'. His gospel is good news for all people. It is a challenge to all structures, systems, practices and attitudes that lead people to exploit and oppress their fellow human beings.

"The global economic system divides people one from another and separates humanity from creation. It perpetuates the wealth of the few at the expense of the many. It fuels violence and environmental destruction. It is based on idolatrous subservience to markets. We cannot worship both God and money.

"We are inspired by Jesus, who protested against exploitative traders and moneychangers in the Jerusalem Temple. Christianity began as a grassroots protest movement. Nonviolent direct action can play an important and ethical role in resisting injustice and achieving change.

"We stand in solidarity with the ‘Occupy London’ movement and regret that they have not been able to make their protest closer to the London Stock Exchange. We applaud their commitment to co-operating with St Paul’s Cathedral and to ensuring that their camp is safe for everyone in the vicinity.

We were pleased by the Cathedral’s initial welcome to the camp and hope that difficulties between the occupiers and the Cathedral can be speedily resolved, keeping the focus on the need to challenge the financial injustices perpetuated by the City of London.

Signed by: Ekklesia, Christianity Uncut, London Catholic Worker

See also: ICN 16 October 2011 St Paul's Cathedral Canon 'happy for people to demonstrate peacefully': www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19104