Council re-considers ban on “God” posters – Camden Council had told a Catholic parish it could not use faith-based vocabulary to advertise talks on God and climate change
Ruth Gledhill Times Religion Correspondent
A London borough is to reconsider a ban on posters by a Roman Catholic parish church advertising a weekend of events on climate change.
The organisers had been told they could not display the posters in libraries or social centres unless they removed words such as “God” and “Christian” from the text.
After protests from organisers, Camden Council in north London is to reconsider its stance against the posters which are advertising the St Francis weekend, organised by Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town.
The weekend includes Mark Dowd from Operation Noah speaking on climate change, Ellen Teague from Christian Ecology Link talking at all the Sunday Masses and a pet blessing service.
The posters advertised this information.
A group organiser said: “We are being supported by local conservation groups and animal charities. There will be publicity from the RSPCA, Beaumont Animal Hospital, PDSA, recycling groups and others.
“This time last year we held a green fair for the Feast of St Francis, which was a great community event. Our local MP Frank Dobson and many town councillors came.
“We had a good deal of support from Camden Council who had stalls promoting recycling and compost. I don’t understand why they they won’t allow us to put up our posters this year.”
A council spokesperson said: “We have asked them to bring the posters in so we can have another look at them. We are very happy to help publicise community events that are open to everyone on our noticeboards. However we are not able to accept posters that promote particular religious beliefs or particular points of view.”
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