In an article for the Christmas edition of the Radio Times magazine, Williams considers the slogan 'What Would Jesus Do?', with particular reference to those involved in the recent events at St Paul's Cathedral.

"The Jesus we meet in the Bible is somebody who constantly asks awkward questions, especially questions addressed to religious people, moral people and rich people - all the sorts of people involved at St Paul's," the Anglican Primate said.

Encouraging us to ask uncomfortable questions of ourselves, the Archbishop also urges us to do some self-examination: "There are places in the Bible where Jesus prods us to ask ourselves about our motives before we embark on grand gestures. Are we doing this for the sake of the real issue, or for an audience?"

"What changes the world isn't a single formula for getting the right answer but a willingness to stop and let yourself be challenged right to the roots of your being," Williams said.

The magazine article was not Williams' first involvement in the anti-corporate protest movement. He said last month that the demonstration marked "a widespread and deep exasperation with the financial establishment."

The City of London Corporation, which owns much of the land around St. Paul's, has taken legal steps to try to get the protesters moved. But the Occupiers have vowed to remain until the Olympic Games in the British capital next summer, and perhaps beyond.

"Christmas tells us two big things. First, what changes things isn't a formula for getting the right answer but a willingness to stop and let yourself be challenged right to the roots of your being. And second, we can find the courage to let this happen because we are let into the secret that we are in the hands of love, committed, unshakeable love. I hope that something of that great secret will find its way into your celebrations this year."

Sources

• Huffington Post
• Archbishop of Canterbury
• Image: Heads down, Thumbs up

The plan has been hatched in the event that the Cathedral attempts to evict the protesters.

Christian activists say that in the absence of support from St Paul's they are duty bound to stand up for peaceful protest.

Tanya Paton, a Christian protester said: "We represent peace, unity and love. A ring of prayer is a wonderful symbol."

As senior Church officials at St Paul's apparently keen to get an injunction to disband the protest, director of the religious think-tank Jonathan Bartley, said the cathedral's handling of the protest had been a "car crash" and predicted more high-profile resignations from the Church of England.

The canon chancellor of St Paul's, Dr Giles Fraser, and the Rev Fraser Dyer, who works as a chaplain at the cathedral, have already stepped down over the decision to pursue legal action to break up the camp.

Banker's report suppressed

It was claimed last night that a highly critical report into the moral standards of bankers has been suppressed by St Paul's amid fears it would inflame tensions over the protest. The report, based on a survey of 500 City workers who were asked if they thought they were worth their salaries and bonuses, was due to be published last Thursday.

But publication of the report, by the St Paul's Institute, has been delayed in apparent acknowledgement that it would give the impression the cathedral was on the side of protesters.

On Saturday afternoon, more than 20 religious figures gathered on the steps of St Paul's to support the occupation, which began two weeks ago.

The bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, has promised to attend St Paul's in an attempt to persuade activists to leave. But protesters say they have no intention of packing up, many reiterating their intention to stay at the cathedral until Christmas and beyond.

Sources

• The Guardian
• Image: The Guardian