An English bishop has responded to a church choir’s rendition of a popular Christmas carol that incorporated LGBT and “inclusive” words.
“God rest you queer and questioning, your anxious hearts be still,” a line of an amended U.S. version of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” sung by the All Saints with Holy Trinity choir in Loughborough, England, according to The Express, with another line stating, “God rest you also, women, who have been erased by men. Ignored and despised throughout history, soiled and displaced”
The Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, objected to the altered version of the song and the addition of progressive language.
“Christmas and many other occasions demonstrate the significance of ritual,” Nichols told Times Radio. “Ritual allows us to leave our own tiny world and connect with what we have received, inherited, and aspire to carry on.
“These values are the continuation of musical repertory, the capacity to sing together, and the examination of centuries-old traditions. These are definitely more significant to me than individual sensitivities that fluctuate.”
Written by Jeffrey Wilsor and used by the progressive Hollywood United Methodist Church, the revised American version includes just the opening two lines of the 17th-century English original.
The church’s website reads, “We want to be an inclusive, eco-conscious, and intercultural worshipping community (IWC) involved with issues of social, racial, and climatic justice.”
We do not believe we have all the answers, but those who choose to journey with us in Christian belief and activity are welcome here.
“…those are probably for me more important than particular sensitivities which come and go.”
Fox News Digital did not immediately receive a response to its request for comment from All Saints with Holy Trinity Church.
Sam Margrave, a member of the Church of England’s General Synod, tweeted: “Absolutely outraged an act of worship to our Lord and Savior is being exploited to advance political ideology antithetical to @ChurchofEngland doctrine.” Several other Twitter users also took issue with the song’s rewording.
Not everyone was averse to the song, including trainee priest Rachael Brind-Surch, who posted a snapshot of the service bulletin online with the caption “love my church” according to Daily Mail.
“My faith influences my politics, and I will never be sad, angry, or apologise for attending a church that encourages me to think more deeply about them and the policies being implemented in our name,” Brind-Surch said after the scandal emerged.
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