Comments by Bishop of London, St Paul’s and Ekklesia think tank
Commenting after the verdict, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, said: ‘Whatever now happens as a result of today’s judgment, the protest has brought a number of vital themes to prominence. These are themes that the St Paul’s Institute remains committed to exploring and, now through London Connection, we want to ensure they continue to have a voice.
‘Bishops cannot have all the answers to what are complex economic problems. What we can do, however, is broker communications and make sure that a proper connection between finance and its ethical and moral context is found.’
St Paul’s Cathedral in a statement commneted:
“We have always said that a permanent camp is an unsustainable forum, but would reiterate to the protestors that we have offered a number of alternative platforms for the important issues they raise to be voiced. We are, through those platforms, committed to engage in the continued debate on these issues and believe St Paul’s can be an effective forum for such debate.”
Symon Hill, associate director of Ekklesia, said
“In recent months, the public have seen starkly different images of Christianity. On the one hand, there is the image of a church institution concerned with order and routine. On the other hand, there are Christians backing ‘Occupy’ and planning a ring of prayer. They are witnessing to an understanding of Christianity that does not seek to impose power on others but to stand alongside those who are resisting the injustices of the powerful.
“Despite the good work that is no doubt done by St Paul’s Cathedral, many Christians will be disappointed that some seem more concerned with the inconvenience of a campsite than with the much greater damage done by the City of London and global financial systems.”
The Guardian quotes an attorney who worked on a related case – the eviction of protesters in Parliament Square:
“The eviction of the Occupy London protesters from outside St Paul’s Cathedral has always been inevitable. Increasingly legally savvy protesters have been able to play the system in various ways to delay today’s verdict but it has ultimately just been a matter of time before the City of London Corporation succeeded.”
Note:
In a judgment that followed a five-day hearing held before Christmas, Mr Justice Lindblom granted orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London.
He said that the proposed action was “entirely lawful and justified” as well as necessary and proportionate and refused permission to appeal although the protesters have seven working days to renew their applications directly to the Court of Appeal.
The corporation agreed not to enforce the orders until 4pm on 27 January pending such a move.