Harman will ban Christmas, bishops warn
No more public Christmas celebrations under Harriet Harman's equality bill, according to a letter by Catholic bishops
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Wednesday, 18, Nov 2009 05:10
By Emmeline Saunders
Harriet Harman could ban Christmas celebrations with her equality bill, a group of bishops has warned.
The would-be Grinch, also known as the beleaguered equalities minister, is being blamed by Roman Catholic clergy worried they will be forced to cancel Christian celebrations for fear of offending other cultures.
In a letter to MPs, Monsignor Andrew Summersgill, general secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, said Ms Harman's bill will fuel Britain's 'risk-averse' culture.
"Under existing legislation, we have seen the development of a risk-averse culture with outcomes as ridiculous as reports of a local authority instructing tenants to take down Christmas lights in case they might offend Muslim neighbours, or of authorities removing the word Christmas out of cultural sensitivity to everyone except Christians.
"If this bill is serious about equality, everything possible must be done to avoid it having a chilling effect on religious expression and practice."
The letter is part of the evidence being considered by the parliamentary committee examining the proposed bill.
The legislation being championed by the Labour deputy leader aims to close the gender pay gap and encourage public authorities to give minority groups more opportunities.
It could also force religious groups to take on gay staff; a measure that was derided by senior clergy who fear the new law would reduce the power of the Church and 'dilute' its moral message.
"The Catholic Church has significant concerns about the practical implications of some parts of the bill," the letter added.
An Equalities Office spokesman denied the claim that the legislation would impact on Christmas celebrations.
He said: "That's ridiculous; of course local councils can still put up Christmas tree lights or mark any other religious ceremony such as Diwali, Eid or Ramadan."
The emergence of the letter follows yesterday's ruling by the BBC Trust that Radio 4's Thought for the Day would continue to showcase religious views only, rejecting calls to allow atheists, secularists and humanists to contribute.