Top Anglican: Fear of Immigration Not Racist

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior figure in the Anglican Communion which includes the Episcopal Church in the U.S., has given all of us who are concerned about high levels of immigration cover. See the story in the Daily Mail (U.K.). He is quoted as saying:

Fear is a valid emotion at a time of such colossal crisis. This is one of the greatest movements of people in human history. Just enormous. And to be anxious about that is very reasonable.

There is a tendency to say “those people are racist”, which is just outrageous, absolutely outrageous.

In fragile communities particularly – and I’ve worked in many areas with very fragile communities as a clergyman – there is a genuine fear: what happens about housing? What happens about jobs? What happens about access to health services?

I believe we have a right to defend the integrity of our culture, particularly as it has stood the test of time and is a magnet to others.