UK Labour MEP clashes with colleagues over 'God' comments

British Labour MEP Mary Honeyball has been condemned for her description of the Catholic church as an "extreme Christian organisation".

In a blogged article on labourlist.org, she also complains of former prime minister Tony Blair's "aggressive Christianity".

This has been seen as a reference to Blair's recent article in the Church of England Newspaper in which he said Christianity is at risk of being sidelined in Britain's "aggressively secularist" society.

In her piece, Honeyball, who represents London, said, "While churches may be emptying - people having more sense than to pay even lip service to religion - Christianity is on the increase in the corridors of power.

"I have seen very obvious attempts to bring Christianity into the European parliament during my nine years as an MEP.

"Silvio Berlusconi attempted to appoint an intensely religious Catholic, Rocco Buttiglione, as a European commissioner.

"Though his efforts were thankfully rebuffed by the majority of MEPs due to Buttiglione's anti-homosexual and anti-abortion stance, religion had reared its head. Likewise there was a strong movement to include a reference to "god" in the ill-fated European constitutional treaty.

"Meanwhile back in the UK the Roman Catholic church and other extreme Christian organisations tried to defeat parts of the 2008 human fertilisation and embryology act.

"Activities such as these are not the mark of an aggressively secular society.

"There has, in fact, been a marked increase in political lobbying by Christian organisations over the last ten years. We are getting more of it in the public square not less.

"I for one object to this. I do not believe Christianity should have the kind of privileged place in our public life which it so manifestly does. In this article Blair is quoted as saying, 'But in general terms in British society there is a risk that people see faith as a personal eccentricity'."

She adds, "Faith is and should remain exactly that: a personal eccentricity, not something to be forced on others in any way whatsoever."

Reaction to Honeyball's comments was swift, with German centre-right MEP Elmar Brok branding her description of the RC Church as "absolutely ridiculous".

Brok, one of the most respected MEPs in parliament, said, "Let's be clear about this: the church plays a very important role in society, every bit as important as, say, trade unions and politicians, and that is how it should be.

"Europe is based on Christian values, it is part of our European heritage and long may it continue to do so," said Brok, a former chair of the influential foreign affairs committee and member of the convention which drafted the constitution.

"I totally disagree with her comments. They are intolerant and shows that she understands nothing about the Catholic church."

Honeyball has also reportedly come under fire from her own party colleagues in Westminster, including MP Stephen Pound, who said, "What she does not seem to realise is that many people seek to become politicians because of their Catholicism."

North West MP Jim Dobbin was also critical, saying,"She has no place in the Labour party because she demeans the beliefs of many secularists."

It was reported in the UK media that Honeyball had been summoned to explain herself at a meeting this week with party bosses.

However, a spokeswoman for the UK Labour group said, "I know nothing about claims she has been ordered to appear before party chiefs."

Fellow UK Socialist MEP Richard Corbett distanced himself from the criticism, saying Honeyball "is entitled to her opinions"

Despite repeated attempts, this website was unable to contact Honeyball.