Bishop joins row over right to wear the cross

The Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester, has written to the European Court of Human Rights in support of Christians who claim they suffered discrimination at work when they were banned from displaying the symbol.

He has been granted the status of an “intervener”, meaning the Strasbourg court will take account of his 11-page submission when it hears the case in September.

Bishop Nazir Ali said in the document: “We have reached the stage where Christians in the United Kingdom risk their employment if they wear a cross.

“However, the United Kingdom courts have permitted the wearing of a Sikh bangle, the Islamic headscarf and even a cornrow haircut.

“In case after case in the United Kingdom, the rights of Christians have been vanquished.”

The Government will argue that employers have the right to ban the wearing of the cross because it is not a requirement of the Christian faith.

Bishop Nazir Ali's stance appeared to contradict comments made by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, last month when he said that wearing a cross was just a “religious decoration” for many people and not an essential part of Christianity.

Bishop Nazir Ali said Strasbourg should reject the British courts’ conclusions and give Article 9 - the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion - its “full and intended effect”.

Nadia Eweida, a British Airways worker, and Shirley Chaplin, a nurse, claim they were discriminated against when their employers barred them from wearing the symbols on the grounds that they breached company uniform policy.

The bishop said: “Any policy that regards the cross as just an item of jewellery is deeply disturbing and it is distressing that this view can even be taken.

“It is disrespectful and insulting to practising Christians.

“Clearly the prohibition on the wearing of the cross by an employer and its classification of the cross as a 'necklace’ or 'jewellery’ will send a clear message to Christians that their faith is not respected (especially if other faiths are).

“Christians will not apply for employment with such an employer because they will perceive disrespect and a chilling effect to their faith.”

Bishop Nazir Ali added: “The cross is ubiquitous in Christian devotion from the earliest times.

“The sign of the cross is made by Christians not only during worship but before and after meals, at times of danger and also to give thanks.

“The cross is the most easily recognisable Christian symbol in architecture, church furnishing and the dress of the clergy.

“Lay people are encouraged to wear a cross or a crucifix to affirm their desire to follow in the way of Christ, as he taught us to do.

“They wear it also to declare their faith and to witness to others.

“I am aware that many Christians wear the cross and would be distressed to be required to remove it.

“Further, to hide the cross, in circumstances where the cross is an expression of faith, would be extremely distressing to the adherent as it would amount to asserting that the cross and by implication the Lord Jesus Christ is something to be ashamed of and faith in him something to be hidden.”

Andrea Williams, director of the Christian Legal Centre, has instructed leading human rights barrister Paul Diamond to act on behalf of two of the applicants.

Mrs Williams said: "This reflects what the general population feels and the government should change its submission to the European Court."