What is the Church’s view on the EU Referendum? Are you asking what the Archbishop of Canterbury thinks, what the bench of bishops thinks, or what the General Synod thinks? If we were Catholics we’d wait for a Papal edict. The fact is there isn’t a Church’s view. Unless we were to hold a referendum amongst the parishes to discover it.

My own opinion is we should stay in. My theology is shaped by the fact Christian teaching majors on community, relationship, mutuality and inter-dependence. We are the body of Christ, with its many members, and if one member malfunctions the whole body is affected; we are part of the communion of saints, that transcendent society embracing earth and heaven; we worship at ‘Holy Communion’, in a representative drama, symbolising our relationship with the Divine and with each other. And as the Johannine tradition has it: ‘those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.’ 

Christian ethics also comes to bear on the argument. Practically and economically, what benefits most of the people? Strategically, what makes our people most secure? Internationally, what enables us to share responsibility for the needs of the oppressed and rejected in a world of increasing political violence?

When I was at theological college in the late 1960’s, Britain was debating whether to join the ’Six’ (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) and therefore to become part of the EU. We thought this was a good and positive move because it was part of the continuing healing of wounds left by the Second World War, and a long history of European states bashing the lights out of each other; and it made economic sense. 

In terms of that long view, it seems wrong to revert to an isolationist policy, however much we might have been irritated by Brussels bureaucracy or sometimes felt we were contributing more than we were getting out of it. Besides, in Acts, Paul says to the Ephesian Elders that it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

Furthermore I am less than enchanted by the right wing politicians and opportunists in favour of Brexit. Of course, I recognise there are cads and blackguards on both sides. That’s in the weft and warp of politics. But the idea of virtue ethics holds water for me: what is the character of those who promote a cause? Are they doing it for the common good or for their own advantage? In the event of Brexit, who will emerge as the leaders and how self-serving is their present motivation?

Then this morning I read this from OMFIF: ‘From an Asian perspective, loyalty and trust are considered critical for solid and sustainable friendship…Britain has undoubtedly been doing what it considers best for its own short-term national interest. Yet no one should underestimate Brexit’s potential negative impact on Britain’s relationship with Europe and its wider international reputation…we don’t want them to be over-clever. We are wary of crafty people who take advantage of others’ vulnerability. We cherish friends who are reliable and helpful.’

I agree. So count me in.