Quakers divided on ‘loyal address’
'Britain Yearly Meeting acknowledged that ‘the Quaker relationship with being identified as a privileged body is a difficult one, along with the idea of making a “Loyal Address” to the monarch.'
Quakers from Britain and Ireland visited Buckingham Palace in the spring after being invited to offer a ‘Loyal Address’ – a historic entitlement to address the monarch.
On 9 March, Quakers thanked the king for speaking out on the environment, emphasising that a just solution to the climate crisis requires disrupting existing economic systems.
Read by Leasa Lambert, of the Black, Brown & People of Colour Quaker Fellowship, the address observed that Quaker communities welcome trans and gender-diverse people. Noting the Quaker commitment to make reparations for past involvement in slavery, the address said there is a moral imperative on us all to repair the harm done. It also reiterated the Quaker Peace Testimony.
The Religious Society of Friends is one of just twenty-seven ‘privileged bodies’ which retain the historic right to present an address to the British sovereign in person.
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) acknowledged that ‘the Quaker relationship with being identified as a privileged body is a difficult one, along with the idea of making a “Loyal Address” to the monarch. Quakers uphold a testimony to equality, which is at odds with hereditary monarchy. But the address offers a rare chance to catch the ear of power.’
Some Friends did not agree, however, including Young Friends General Meeting, which was invited but declined to take part. Participating ‘legitimises an institution at odds with Quaker values, that making a “loyal” address would not be truthful’, it said. Meanwhile, the Quaker Socialist Society said: ‘We don’t need this relic, and we shouldn’t be validating its existence in any way. When Quakers first started making “loyal addresses” the dynamics were different; the monarchy held and wielded power in different ways to now.’
Comments
Absolutely correct to say the King’s powers are completely different now to what they were. Having no political ambition or obligatory ties to a particular political party (unlike a President), and indeed having one’s voice intentionally emasculated in that regard - as Megan Markel found - by Parliament no less (...) allows them to focus. And that is precisely what makes the Monarchy so useful in achieving all the good causes that we Quakers are also so very passionate about. The environment and homelessness are two that spring to mind immediately.
I suspect that in the mind of the present incumbent to the job, the ‘loyal address’, was an opportunity for him to demonstrate his loyalty to us. Like the Queen before him, he serves us, not the other way around. Never before have we had a King who is so openly and deeply spiritual, and contemplative too - grounded as he is in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. We are fortunate to have him working on the very things - including peace - that we are working to achieve, and as a defender of faiths too in this age of secularism. Our work could not be better served.
Or so it seems to me at any rate; I thank the Lord he is there.
By markrdibben@gmail.com on 6th January 2024 - 18:52
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