Exeter Cathedral Dean 'Embarrassed' by Christians Who Voted for Brexit
The Very Rev Dr Jonathan Draper, the Dean of Exeter Cathedral in the U.K., said that he is embarrassed by Christians who voted for Britain to leave the European Union in last week's referendum, though later he apologized for also suggesting voters are "stupid."
The Express&Echo noted that Draper made a series of comments on social media following the referendum, expressing his disappointment with the results, in which 52 to 48 percent of U.K. citizens voted to sever ties with the EU by 2019.
Draper responded to a poll suggesting that Christians were more likely to vote for Leave than other religious groups by tweeting: "As a Christian I am embarrassed and apologise."
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He also noted that younger voters backed Remain in much greater numbers than older ones, and wrote: "As a nearly old person I apologise for what we have done to our children and grandchildren."
He added: "Apologised to my children for what the old have done to the young. Truly awful, truly catastrophic #WhatHaveWeDone."
In another tweet he shared a photo with the caption "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups," but he later apologized for any offense the image might have caused.
The Brexit vote has been highly controversial and left Britain deeply divided. The nation will also be seeking to appoint a new prime minister following David Cameron's announcement that he will resign by October in the wake of Remain's defeat.
Both the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales responded to the results of the referendum by urging the U.K. not to turn its back on refugees.
The CofE called for unity and said that the U.K. must remain a "generous and forward looking country."
"We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers," the statement read.
"Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one," it added.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage had insisted that the referendum is not only about the question of who controls the U.K.'s borders and its policy toward refugees, but also about the issue of national identity.
"Let's stop pretending what this European project is – they have an anthem, they are building an army, they have already got their own police force, and of course they have got a flag," Farage said ahead of the vote last week.
"At the end of the day tomorrow when people vote they have to make a decision – which flag is theirs? I want us to live under British passports and under the British flag," he added.
