Lazy sods should go to church this easter, deacon tells The Argus

That is the Easter message from one leading Sussex clergyman this Good Friday.

Deacon Seamus Mahon, from Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Henfield, was one of 25 religious figures we surveyed yesterday on their - and the county's - faith.

Among the other views and comments that came from the survey included various pleas to offer more help to migrants and reflections on the importance of faith following last summer's Shoreham Airshow disaster.

When asked about the decline in popularity of the church, deacon Seamus Mahon said many Christians use recent scandals as an excuse not to go.

He said: "The actions of perpetrators have made it out as though the whole church is full of corrupt people.

"There will be people who are on the border and some of them will use it as an excuse."

He then quipped: "they are just lazy sods."

The popular deacon added that life without Christianity is just "a bit miserable".

He said: "I do think that we are likely to reach a state where people will realise there is more to all of this. If we have not got somewhere to go at the end of this world, it is a bit miserable.”

Jane Stephenson, who is a member of his congregation, praised the deacon, who is currently standing in because of illness.

She said: “He is very tactful and has a sense of humour and will really do anything for anyone. He is really welcoming and human."

Migration was also a hot topic with those we spoke to with Steve Rees, of Crowborough's All Saints Church, among many who identified Jesus as a migrant himself.

He said: "Christians have a heart for the outsider because Jesus was a migrant. He had to leave Bethlehem in fear for his life so he fled to Egypt."

Reverend Andrew Woodward, of St Mary’s Church, St James’s Street, Brighton,criticised the Government for their lack of action over the crisis.

He said: "More than a million people sought refuge in Europe in 2015. That’s a huge number, of which Britain seems to have agreed to take in only the tiniest proportion.

"Our Christian heritage should compel us to welcome the stranger but I have to say our current policy doesn’t seem that welcoming."

Father Michael Wells, Church of the Annunciation, Washington Street, Brighton, said "welcoming the stranger is a Christian imperative" while the Archdeacon of Chichester, The Venerable Douglas H McKittrick, said Christianity is about "demolishing walls and offering the hands of friendship".

On the issue of the decline of the church, reverend Canon Ann Waizeneker, from St Mary de Haura Church, Shoreham, said the town's airshow disaster last year proved the opposite.

She said: "So many people came to the churches in Shoreham to sign the book of condolence (many including prayers to God), light candles, attend services or to just sit quietly and pray.

"Faith is difficult to measure and the ways we do – census, polls, Sunday morning attendance – do not reflect the belief many people have."

AS part of our annual Good Friday survey, we asked 25 Sussex church leaders two questions about about their - and the country's - faith. The first question we asked was if they thought Britain had become more or less of a Christian country in the last decade. The second was if we have forgotten our Christian values over the migrant crisis.

Reverend canon Ann Waizeneker, of St Mary de Haura Church, Shoreham

A1/ Our experience after the Shoreham Airshow crash would tend to suggest the opposite. So many people came to the churches in Shoreham, to sign the book of condolence (many including prayers to God), to light candles, attend services or to just sit quietly and pray.

Faith is difficult to measure and the ways we do - census, polls, Sunday morning church attendance - just do not reflect the belief many people have.

A2/ I don’t think we have lost our Christian values. I have experienced firsthand a great will to help refugees and welcome them here.

Reverend Felix Mascarenhas, Church of the Good Shepherd, Dyke Road, Brighton

A1/ The statistics tend to say less people go to church. And they may be right in that regard. However, the aspect of spirituality is also to be considered. There are many of those who, though without going to church or claiming themselves as such, are Christians. They do live by Christian principles as well. How can the stats count them?

A2/ Certainly we have not forgotten them. A lot has been done by Christians for migrants and is still being done. The migration crisis is not an easy issue to be resolved and therefore many are still debating over its root cause and where and why it exists. Perhaps our leaders could certainly do more to help them.

Reverend Nick Haigh, St Margaret of Antioch, Church Road, Fernhurst

A1/ I think it has generally become less Christian. My church is very healthy, which is great, but people have become more and more disconnected from the Christian heritage; although they still value the ancient buildings they don’t particularly want to engage with organised religion. I think there has been a change in culture; for example sport on Sundays is huge these days.

A2/ The issue is complicated I think by the perception, well the reality, of the growth of terrorism and the fact that people feel a threat and perhaps that has made people resistant to the idea of accepting refugees. Whereas clearly one wants to offer help to anyone in need. The idea of human rights is rooted in Christian values.

Deacon Seamus Mahon, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Church Lane, Henfield

A1/ I think secularism and commercialism has had a huge influence on the decline of us as a religious country. And that has not been helped by some of the scandals attached to the church. Some people are on the border and will use that [as an excuse not to come] whereas they are just lazy sods.

A2/ I don’t think so. I think some Christian organisations tend to be a bit quiet about their work, and there are an awful lot of good people doing work, for example going over to Calais. It also depends on how you interpret Christian values; I am a great believer we should be doing more to help people in their own countries.

Father Vladimir Nikiforov, Our Lady of Fatima, Cuckfield Road, Staplefield

A1/ It is difficult to say, but my personal observations do not suggest that it has become a less Christian country. We don’t see a decline in numbers, but immigrants provide quite a few new members to the Catholic church. There is a change, certainly, people drive more so big churches in big towns get more people and rural churches find it harder to survive.

A2/ Maybe they have been Christian but there has not been much wisdom shown at the same time, and that upsets me, really. Suppose you want to help half a million people, it should be organised; instead of that we have pregnant woman and children wandering chaotically over the continent without the help they really need. That makes me upset.

Father Martin Powell, Parish of Aldingbourne, Barnham and Eastergate

A1/ I think there is a huge amount going on in churches across the country. I think churches are taking more of a role in communities, some are filling in where other services have stopped because of cuts - for example, with food banks, elderly groups, being more active in schools. So there are many Christian people working in many walks of life.

A2/ I think that the response from churches has been one of generosity and I think it is really important that we remember the teachings of Jesus and the fact that he was himself a refugee for a short time and that we offer whatever we can.

Reverend Andrew Woodward, St Mary’s Church, St James’s Street, Brighton.

A1/ I think that by conventional measures – people identifying as Christians, or attending a Sunday service – Britain might appear to be less of a Christian country now than ten years ago. But that’s quite a narrow way of gauging people’s engagement and doesn’t take into account the many ways in which people draw strength and inspiration from Christian tradition and practice.

Also, there is something exhilarating about being a Christian in a diverse society with a plurality of faiths and a healthy scepticism. Here in Brighton we have such wonderful expressions of what it means to be human, particularly in terms of gender identity and sexuality. Every day in my work as a priest I see people learning through personal spiritual journeys to know, love and speak out who they really are.

Christianity is flourishing in Britain. For those of us in the thick of it, it doesn’t feel like a story of decline – but rather one that is growing, grounded and relevant.

A2/ More than a million people sought refuge in Europe in 2015. That’s a huge number, of which Britain seems to have agreed to take in only the tiniest proportion. Our Christian heritage should compel us to welcome the stranger, but I have to say that out current policy doesn’t seem that welcoming. So I pray that our Government accepts an equitable share of migrants while also working for peace and stability in their homelands. I also pray that we learn to overlook people’s ‘foreignness’. When we treat everyone as individuals and with equal courtesy and respect, we break down the harmful barriers between ‘us and them’ and become all and equally God’s children.

Father Michael Wells, Church of the Annunciation, Washington Street, Brighton

A1/ Britain is less Christian statistically in that fewer people go to church regularly and the population contains a higher percentage of other faiths. But the important thing is that, socially, our moral conscience is becoming more Christian in nature. Hence the outcry over cutting PIP disability allowance.

A2/Welcoming the stranger is a Christian imperative. Easy to say in principle but it looks and feels as if a seismic population shift may be beginning from the Middle East to the West, for which we are emotionally unprepared. In these circumstances batten down the hatches is a visceral human reaction of fear and those who speak up for Christ's uncompromising demands are in a minority.

Reverend Wing Man Tsang, Queen Street Church, Queen Street, Worthing

A1/ I think it’s becoming less of a Christian country although I would say when asked somewhere between 60 per cent and 70 per cent still believe in God. I think it is because people are less concerned with Christian values in schools.

A2/ We should be concerned with the migrant crisis, we can help and churches should be wanting to help. The Church of England and the archbishop have spoken on this. Our church has held a collection for migrants and refugees and will do again.

A lot of organisations are in Syria and other countries offering aid – there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

Father Bill Haymaker, Rector of St Paul’s Parish of the Independent Anglican Community, Suffolk Road, Bexhill

A1/ Christianity has dwindled in this country for some and been enriched for others. I disagree with those who say Christianity is dead or dying, it’s taking on a new life. It’s embracing the new youth but there’s still room for the elderly and the traditional to follow their lines.

A2/ We should not surrender. While I believe in the miracles of fish and wine and loaves, we need to take a more human approach to helping those in need. We should assist without question but we cannot do it at our own peril, you cannot put more people aboard a ship than the ship can hold, it will be to the detriment of everyone.

Steve Rees, All Saints Church, Chapel Green, Crowborough

A1/ From my experience in the churches I’ve worked in, I’ve seen churches growing. I’ve seen people becoming followers of Christ and coming to new life. I think the country is becoming less Christian in its identity, we’re more pluralistic which is fine but British values are Christian values.

A2/ Christians have a heart for the outsider because Jesus was a migrant, he had to leave Bethlehem in fear for his life, so he fled to Egypt. I know a lot of Christians are opening and offering their homes.

Reverend Robert Lovatt, All Saints Church, Grange Road, Eastbourne

A1/ I think we are experiencing increasing secularisation. The Christian faith in the public square is diminishing and there are things like the freedom of Christians to wear crosses at work or to pray for colleagues, which are being challenged.

A2/ I think migration is a very complicated issue but we certainly must exercise a ministry of compassion towards migrants, yet at the same time we do have to deal with the causes of it. What I don’t think we can do is simply wash our hands and pull the drawbridge up.

I see grass root movements to help migrants, and provide support that are not coordinated from the top but come from the bottom upwards. People going with lorries and blankets to Calais which exemplifies the best of Christian values - and of course there are a lot of people who are not Christian who are doing similar things.

Father Trevor Smyth, Church of St Andrew, Bishopstone Road, Bishopstone

A1/ I think in some respects the country is less Christian-with-a-capital-C, in terms of worship and liturgy, but in terms of care for the community and pastoral issues, if anything it is more so.

A2/ I think people like Bishop Martin in Chichester are opening it up in a Christian context, I think some politicians have lost sight of that, we are of course a Christian country and one of the tenants of Christianity is to welcome a stranger and care for others as you would for yourself. We’re all strangers and sojourners on the road, I should have thought that politicians could show more care than has been the case.

Paul Frostick, Acting Vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Ninfield

A1/ We are less Christian. People are becoming much more insular, they come home at night they watch their telly and that’s it. The idea of community and being together are slipping away. One of the things in the Christian message is that we’re all neighbours together.

A2/ I think we have, but we also have to be realistic. So yes the Christian message is helping those in need but you have to be realistic about how you do it. We can’t have a complete open door, I don’t envy any government, it’s a very complex thing. The Christian thing is to like to have an open door but I don’t think it’s realistic.

The Venerable Douglas H McKittrick, The Archdeacon of Chichester

A1/ I think maybe we have become less of a church going country in parts but the Church evolves. Up and down the country people still enquire at a very deep level, people still want to know if there is more than this.

A2/ I think previously you could accuse the Church of being unwelcoming to some parts of the community and I think in the future the Church needs to be more welcoming to all different kinds of people.

Anybody who proclaims to be a Christian is not about building walls, we are all about demolishing walls and offering the hands of friendship.

The words of people like Donald Trump about migrants are not helpful when it means they become targets when they are the people in greatest need.

Father John Joyce, All Saints, The Drive, Hove

A1/ I know in this day and age we are supposed to say we are becoming a less Christian country but I don’t think it is the case.

I know people will say that there are fewer people going to church but I think that’s part of a change that has been going on for the last 25 years.

People have got busier, people are more involved with their families, most things for children seem to happen on a Sunday morning, and people are saying I have got a busy life and I will go to church when it’s right for me.

A2/ There are those who are always going to be afraid of change but there are always people who say when people need help that’s what we do.

The church that I’m part has made a house available for a family of Syrians.

Andy Bousfield, Ascension Church, Mill Rise, Brighton

A1/ I don't think you can measure Christianity in church attendance and I know new churches are being planed.

In terms of the country as a whole, the values enshrined in our culture haven’t changed over ten years and our constitution which comes from a Christian basis hasn’t changed.

But are we any more Christian than any other secular society I know. We’re a secular society with a Christian heritage.

A2/ I certainly do like the image of Jesus the immigrant and Jesus the outsider and in one sense he was an outside ontologically - he was coming from heaven to earth and was not accepted by many to whom he came, and he said at one point he doesn’t have a home to lay his head so he certainly identified with the homeless.

So we need to think about our response to migrants and outsiders, and those on a journey, and certainly the churches should be open to welcome all who are looking for a new home.

Father Jerry O’Brien, St Peter’s Church, Portland Road, Hove

A1/ I think people are generally deeply religious. Where do people go when there is a crisis?. They gather in large numbers as we have seen in Paris, Belgium and other places to light candles and pray for those who have lost their lives and injured.

It is only on those occasions we see an outpouring of good will but day after day I meet with people who are living exceptional lives caring for sick members of their families.

A2/ I think you will find most parishes in the Brighton region are helping in different ways to support people trying to settle and make a new life for themselves. Have a look at Brighton Voices in Exile and see the great work they are involved in and have been involved in for many years. Their quiet work probably hasn’t made the headlines.

Reverend David Farey of Hellingly and Upper Dicker churches

A1/In our cosmopolitan age we are increasingly one faith among many and there is less expression of that faith as seen in falling numbers at church.

Tolerance towards people of other cultures and faiths has led to increased fear of criticism for expressing one’s Christian faith.

But our churches are in an exciting phase where churchgoers really have to get serious about what they believe and what they do about it. So less than we were, but with great potential.

A2/ There are many refugee and migrant projects around the country and you would probably find, like with Brighton Voices in Exile that Christian values to help the marginalised and vulnerable, including migrants, are definitely fully functioning.

Canon Richard Albert Moatt of St Mary’s, Lewes.

A1/ With the younger generation there is not so much traditional contact with the church and Christian festival.

But I think there is a distinction between many people who do not go to church but still hold very good and valid Christian principles.

There is a difference in attendance at church but no evidence values are changing.

A2/ I think there are many Christians who are doing an awful lot to help the migrant crisis. People from our church have been to Calais and we have had many meetings to help asylum seekers and have held collections.

It is difficult to say if we should be doing more. But it is our Christian duty to help and many Christians are helping.

Reverend Pauline Lucas, curate of the parish of Seaford

A1/The country as a whole probably does not think of themselves as churchgoers but the Christian ethos is still very much behind many people’s way of thinking.

That is my experience with many young families who do not go to church. They value the Christian message of love.

A2/ We want to help and support and I think we just wish there was a better way to do that practically which did not fight against the cultural understanding.

There is a nervousness of being ‘swamped’ but sometimes the Government overload small areas of the country. If every county in the country were able to help it would not be such a struggle.

think there are ways of doing it and the church has offered to help take in refugees.

Reverend David Bourne, of Hailsham Parish

A1/ It has been moving steadily in more secular direction for sometime.

I think the gospel and Christian message is less in the public arena than it was before.

I think in our society the attractions of alternative idols are a factor.

Things like leisure, money, career, and sex drive people but ultimately do not satisfy.

A2/ I think it is a really difficult call and I would not envy being in the position of our leaders in the challenges they facing in being welcoming. But at the same time protecting our own security and being conscious of that.

It is a really difficult balance, but I hope we will not lose this generosity from the gospel.

Deacon Stephen MacCarthy, St Bartholomew, Church Lane, Albourne

A1/ In my experience attendance swells in churches locally at Easter and in the parishes everyone is still very much concerned with each other.

A2/ It’s very easy to become fearful of the sudden swathe of people coming in on the beaches.

We do forget just how rich we are, even the poorest in our society are rich compared to these people.

Perhaps people need a little Christian reminder. In our heart of hearts we all know what group of people Jesus would be living among if he was physically with us now - the most needy.

That’s where the heart of a Christian should be this Easter and in our prayers.

The Reverend Dr Caroline Currer, St Andrews, Edburton Road, Edburton

A1/ Probably fewer people are familiar with the Christian message. But attendance [at church] is stable and it has always been the case that we see more people come at festivals.

We organise a number of services for families at Easter which I feel is very important.

A2/I think a number of people have spoken out on a Christian basis on this [migration]. I don’t think the values have been forgotten. Certain people have to represent them.