Bishop Christopher Hill is the Bishop of Guildford, and former chaplain to the Queen.
Within his diocese, is the parish of Virginia Water, run by the Revd Dr Stephen Sizer.
Rev. Sizer’s conspiracy theory in his book Christian Zionism (IVP, 2004, p.251, footnote 170):
“For allegations of Israeli complicity in the 9/11 tragedy, see…”
Here are Bishop Hill’s recommendations of Sizer’s two books:
“I believe the Christian Churches must remain indebted to Stephen Sizer for his serious and scholarly analysis of Christian Zionism and the origins of uncritical support for the policies of the present day Israeli state.” Right Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford.
“Once again Stephen Sizer has produced a seriously worked out biblical theology which challenges some Christians who give uncritical support to the current political stance of Israel. We have here a serious biblical challenge, evangelical in character which, nevertheless, challenges certain kinds of fundamentalism, both theological and political. I commend Stephen’s latest book warmly, not with the conviction that everyone will agree with it, but that all ought to engage in its argument for the very sake of the Peace of Jerusalem itself, now the Holy City of the three great monotheistic faiths, the faiths of the Children of Abraham.” The Right Reverend Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford
Bishop Hill has recently written to a concerned Christian:
I have taken the trouble to carefully read through two of the Revd Dr. Stephen Sizer’s books and though I can understand why theologically some people have disagreement with them, there is nothing in his published works to date that I have seen which is anti-Semitic.
Like many, Bishop Hill has missed Sizer citing a white supremacist Holocaust denier in his initial book on Christian Zionism, and his hints of 9/11 conspiracy theorising.
If Bishop Hill has seen nothing antisemitic in Sizer’s works, then he must have missed Sizer’s racist theory, that the US protects Gaddafi and lets him do evil, because of Gaddafi’s supposed Jewish blood.
If indeed, Bishop Hill has seen nothing antisemitic in Sizer’s works, then he must have also missed Sizer’s racist theory, that US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s criticisms of Israel are based on her desire for revenge against Monica Lewinsky – the Jewish woman with whom Hilary’s husband Bill had an affair.
Rev Sizer frequently links to antisemitic websites and pushes racist ideas about Jews, as pointed out by Rev. Nick Howard in a recent essay.
Rev Howard’s article on Sizer last week is thus far unanswered by anyone. This is particularly significant, as Howard has previously spoken at a men’s breakfast event organised by Christ Church Virginia Water, and has also led an outreach event at the local university Royal Holloway Christian Union, during their Jesus Awareness Week.
Clearly Rev Howard is not sniping at Sizer from the sidelines – he has himself worked towards the spiritual wellbeing of Christians living within or nearby the Virginia Water parish community. Indeed, Stephen Sizer himself approached Nick Howard via email in 2008, asking whether he would lead a men’s breakfast event, organised by Christ Church Virginia Water. (Howard refused this request).
When Rev Howard noted Rev Sizer’s links to the website of Jew-hating Mark Glenn in a recent blog post, the Bishop of Guildford replied to Rev Howard:
‘I see nothing which would merit disciplinary matters, not least because differing political opinions are definitely exempted from disciplinary proceedings in the Church of England according to the Clergy Disciplinary Measure.’
Since Rev Howard published his post, Stephen Sizer has posted links on his own blog to an antisemitic site “Redress” which is supportive of Gilad Atzmon.
It is not as if the racist links were the only cause for concern, vis a vis Sizer and antisemitism.
Sizer meets with racist and anti-Christian supporters of terrorism in Iran, and describes this as “sharing the gospel“.
Rev Sizer campaigns alongside Islamists who preach and yearn for the destruction of Israel.
Sizer is an ally and friend of Jew-hating Sheikh Raed Salah.
Whilst Christopher Hill is the top authority in the diocese, the blindness to Sizer’s actions is not limited to Bishop Hill.
In the light of the evidence presented about Rev Sizer by Rev Howard, Jonathan Hoffman emailed the Archdeacon of Dorking, Julian Henderson, who is also a high-ranking clergyman in the Guildford Diocese. Here is the key part of the Archdeacon’s reply:
“I am very aware of the differing points of view on this very sensitive matter and am sorry you feel offended by one of the clergy in this Diocese. Stephen Sizer holds a particular point of view and in the Church of England there’s a breadth of opinion allowed on controversial matters. Thank you for taking the time to write and i will remain vigilant on these issues. Differing points of view need to be expressed in a gracious manner”
The issue of antisemitism should not, in any way, be a “controversial matter”.
There is also the issue of church funds, and how they are used in providing money for Sizer’s trips abroad.
Take the example of Viva Palestina, which is George Galloway’s Hamas support operation.
There is a Viva Palestina chapter in Malaysia, which was launched by former Malaysian Prime Minister and notorious antisemite Mahathir Mohamad.
In 2011, Sizer travelled to Malaysia, where he spread lies and untruths about Israel. Viva Palestina Malaysia is run by Azra Banu, who received an award from Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza.
The discussion board of VPM is run by Holocaust denier Mike Allan.
Earlier this year, Mike Allan invited Stephen Sizer to Malaysia on behalf of Viva Palestina Malaysia. Sizer happily obliged, but Allan asked Sizer:
Stephen, last year you mentioned you would cover the cost of your flight to Malaysia. I am sure you’d appreciate that as a small NGO that offer was very helpful to us and although I’m embarrassed to ask, I was wondering if the same case applied? Could you update me on this? With great respect. Mike Allan (Viva Palesina Malaysia)
Sizer replied:
Dear Mike, Thanks for your emails and news. I am sure I can find assistance with the flight. God is good. The dilemma I face is having decided to take the week as ‘holiday’ I should really pay for the flight myself. I have 8 weeks allocated for travel and the church will help fund requests. I am already committed to 8 weeks of conferences and travel this year. […] I will nevertheless need to seek the approval of my leaders here to make the trip as part of my work, and thereby claim the flight cost.
Who are Sizer’s leaders? This refers to the Leadership Team of Christ Church Virginia Water. Given the nature of Sizer’s activity, Virginia Water paying for his trips abroad is clearly a misuse of church finances.
In the 2010 finances of the church, £3205 were marked out for “Stephen Sizer International Ministry”.According to the financial report,
Rev Dr Stephen Sizer received £3,204 from the General Fund, together with £2,062 from restricted donations, to support his international ministry activity.
Overseeing parish finances is the church’s Curate Colin Rye. According to the church’s Financial Stewardship document, which encourages parisioners to give money to the church, there is no mention of the Stephen Sizer International Ministry. (Funds for the Stephen Sizer International Ministry are separate from the clergy stipends which must be paid to Sizer due to his role as church vicar).
It appears that the Virginia Water parish provides funds for its pastor to attend extremist conferences, often organised by Holocaust deniers, antisemites, racists, terrorist leaders and terror-funders.
So far, there has been no effort from the Diocesan office, to inquire into the nature of the extremist trips that the parish in Virginia Water is funding, so that its parish priest may attend.
What other trips has the Virginia Water parish priest made, as part of his work?
Do these trips count as part of the “Stephen Sizer International Ministry”?
Sizer’s trips include:
- a visit to Southern Lebanon, sponsored by Al-Manar TV, the official television station of Hezbollah. During this trip, Reverend Sizer met with the military chief and second-in-command of Hezbollah, Sheikh Kaouk.
- a visit to Indonesia, where he shared a platform with Holocaust denier Frederick Tobin to denounce Israel, as well as the Neturei Karta, and representative from Hamas and Hezbollah.
- a visit to Iran, when he was invited by the Holocaust-denying NEDA Institute. There he exchanged gifts with terror-supporting Zahra Mostafavi. During the Iran trip, he was falsely presented as an “Archbishop” (see photo below).
This shows how far Sizer’s Khomeinist hosts would go, to embellish his importance. I have outlined the ties between Revd Sizer and various Khomeinists in Iran, Lebanon and the UK in this document.
Clearly the tolerance of Reverend Sizer’s extremist activities within the Diocese of Guildford, is an utter disgrace. The Diocese has not expressed any concern with Rev Sizer’s documented activities. The Diocese has not commented on the role of the Virginia Water parish in counting his meeting with overseas terrorists, racists, antisemites and terror-backers, as part of his church ministry, and their funding of Sizer’s activities.
Rather, the only notable action from the Diocese in 2011, was to appoint Rev Sizer as Locum Rural Dean in the Runnymede Deanery, during the sabbatical taken by Revd Tim Hillier. This comes across as an affirmation of Sizer’s ministry.
Sadly, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Bishop Christopher Hill has not dealt adequately with the serious issue of racism within his diocese.
