TV presenter and priest Calvin Robinson has been kicked out of his church after doing an Elon Musk ‘salute’ at a pro-life rally in what he said was clearly intended as a joke. The Mail has the story.
The controversial cleric has said he is “not a Nazi” after performing the gesture at the end of his speech at the National Pro-Life summit in Washington DC on Friday.
Days later the 39-year-old priest, who is also UKIP’s lead spokesman and a broadcaster, was removed from the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) with higher-ups suspending his licence to practice.
The pro-life event was held soon after Musk came under criticism for making a ‘salute’ during a celebration for the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Robinson, who is outspoken on the topic of abortion and pro-life matters, had made a speech to a rapturous crowd as conservatives continue to revel in Trump’s election victory.
At the end of his talk, Robinson told the audience: “God bless all of you for what you are doing. Please keep doing it. My heart goes out to you.”
He was then seen raising his arm and mimicking the gesture made by Musk days earlier, sparking laughter and applause from the crowd.
The ACC said that many have interpreted the gesture as a “pro-Nazi salute” and that his actions are “incompatible with a priestly vocation”.
Bishop Chandler Holder Jones, the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of America, said the church had “revoked” Robinson’s licence.
In a statement posted on social media site X, which has since been deleted, he said: “While we cannot say what was in Mr Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favour with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition.
“Mr Robinson had been warned that online trolling and other such actions (whether in service of the Left or Right) are incompatible with a priestly vocation and was told to desist.
“Clearly, he has not, and as such, his licence in this church has been revoked. He is no longer serving as a priest in the ACC.
“Furthermore, we understand that this is not just an administrative matter. The Holocaust was an episode of unspeakable horror, enacted by a regime of evil men.
“We condemn Nazi ideology and antisemitism in all its forms. And we believe that those who mimic the Nazi salute, even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents, trivialise the horror of the Holocaust and diminish the sacrifice of those who fought against its perpetrators. Such actions are harmful, divisive and contrary to the tenets of Christian charity.”
Robinson has denied being a Nazi and says he has been inundated with abuse from “Very bitter, vile, angry Leftists”.
“Today I received hundreds of nasty calls, texts, voicemails and emails today from very bitter, angry, vile Leftists,” he posted on X.
“They are often the very thing they accuse you of. I am not a Nazi. But I forgive you of your ignorance. My heart goes out to you!”
He added the gesture was an attempt at “dry wit, in that typical British way” and a “mockery of the hysterical ‘liberals’ who called Elon Musk a Nazi for quite clearly showing the audience his heart was with them”.
He said his talk at the pro-life event was well received and he was happy to have contributed to “the most important of causes”.
The ACC was the fourth denomination that the former computer science teacher has joined since 2022.
Originally a member of the Church of England, he moved to the Free Church of England when he failed to become a deacon in London, after other bishops raised concerns about his “libertarian anti-woke, anti-identity politics, Covid-sceptical” views.
He later joined the Nordic Catholic Church before moving to the US, where he became a member of the ACC.
Previously a GB News presenter, he was dismissed for supporting Dan Wootton online after he made sexist comments against journalist Ava Evans.
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“And we believe that those who mimic the Nazi salute, even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents, trivialise the horror of the Holocaust and diminish the sacrifice of those who fought against its perpetrators. Such actions are harmful, divisive and contrary to the tenets of Christian charity.”
These people are deranged. They are so far gone in their secular and atheist marxo-fascist ideology that they’ve ejected Christian charity (disinterested love and forgiveness) from their Church.
There is an epidemic of people looking for excuses to be offended so they can carry out performative displays of virtue.
They aren’t deranged, they are narcissists. Perhaps sociopaths. And we give them too much attention.
That’s a fair point.
It seems like whenever someone woke lefties don’t agree with/like raises their right arm above shoulder height they’re accused of making a Nazi salute. If the woke brigade had any useful activity going on between their ears they’d realise how ridiculous this makes them look.
Looks like the lefties are prone as well
It’s between Obama and Taylor Swift as to the most authentic Seig Heil, but all would have been passable.
No, not really. Exactly straight arm, correct angle (45 degrees) etc. These are just fools calling out for something they have never seen!
If you are the enemy of the woke left, then absolutely anything you say or do will be interpreted in the worst possible way. Any facial expression, gesture, move will be taken as evidence of your despicable nature.
In contrast, if you are a member of the marxo-fascist cabal, then the opposite rule applies. You could walk around in an SS uniform, openly call for the extermination of certain groups of people, express your admiration of Adolph and they would just put it down to being humourous or “edgy”.
And yes, pastor, life is sacred.
And yes, we were made in the image of God.
Like Justin Trudeau!
The ironic thing about this whole “salute” thing is that the left have spent the last year and a half literally denouncing Jews and protesting their existence the world over.
This is crazy. It is common practice for clergy to raise their right hand over the congregation as they pronounce a blessing. Is this just another dig at the Christian Church?
It is good to see that the spirit of understanding and forgiveness is not dead in the Anglican church.
Is this also one of the churches where loving your fellow man (human of any variety, especially young ones) is taken rather too literally.
Not religious, myself, but I do agree with Sam here from a freedom of speech/expression perspective. Plus, Leftards aren’t exactly renowned for their sense of humour, let’s be honest;
”Luke 6:37 reads: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
It seems clear that there was no malice nor ill intent in Fr Robinson’s gesture, nor was it an indication of affiliation with any Nazi or white supremacist organisations. It was merely humour, and an attempt to lighten the mood around what has been a highly contentious issue in the past few weeks.
No matter your leaning or opinions on Fr Robinson’s politics, surely we must all agree that playing into cancel culture and jumping to conclusions over a joke is utterly pointless. Cancel culture has no place in the Christian faith, especially not in this regard.
Pre-emptive or emotionally charged judgement is the enemy of rationality, and I am sure the ACC upon further consideration must also see that Fr Robinson meant no ill will in his actions. To deny him his license to preach in the denomination and deprive his parish of its shepherd, for which he has sacrificed so much and is clearly deeply devoted to, would be a travesty.
I have seen his clarifications online, and it is evident that he is a devoted and committed clergyman who is thinking first of his parish and ministry above his own feelings. He is dedicated to the ACC and to his parish in Grand Rapids, and it seems greatly unjust to cast him out for one misunderstanding.
To claim that he did a “Nazi salute” is to perpetuate the same purposeful divisiveness that we as Christians ought to unite against. Of course he didn’t.
Matthew 6:14-15 also reads: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Fr Robinson is deserving of forgiveness and a second chance just as any servant of our Lord should be. I pray you reconsider your decision and work with him so he can continue the vital work that he does in Grand Rapids, in the ACC, and in the Lord’s name.
May the grace of God keep you, bless you, and fill your heart with kindness and favour for our brother, Fr Robinson.”
https://x.com/SamanthaTaghoy/status/1884982532527055196
bishops raised concerns about his “libertarian anti-woke, anti-identity politics, Covid-sceptical” views.
Why don’t they just say what they mean – Far Right.
I’ve followed Christ for over 50 years.
My take might differ from some here, but Calvin brings trouble on himself with a certain immaturity. He did some good work early on with GBN but lacks judgment. Running away from the UK wasn’t a good move either.
His media profile exceeded his ability and this is what’s done for him.
My advice would to take time out to reflect and stay away from microphones and cameras.
This is exactly what we think, including his running away from the UK. It reminds us of Laurence Fox’s “shagging that” comment.
Well put – he has always come across as having little intelligence and awareness, somewhat narcissistic and always complaining about others treatment of him whilst at same time proselytising forcefully as his defence.
“ after other bishops raised concerns about his “libertarian anti-woke, anti-identity politics, Covid-sceptical” views”
What a bunch of cu*ts!!
An irony bypass is essential to being left wing. Many are born with it – mentally deformed zealots like Owen Jones and David Lammy.
Like is Stalinist Russia, the left is not fooling around, they are in no mood for fun and games, unless it involves men with sexual fetishes.
Stupid is as stupid does.
That’s it then, Alan Shearer is a nazi
I thought that was a wave of an arm. Oh well, If you watch Hitler it is entirely different! But these fools know nothing! Keep up the pressure Calvin.