The Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) has officially defrocked Father Calvin Robinson following his controversial gesture at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, DC. This decision comes after Robinson went viral for mimicking a gesture by Elon Musk, which has drawn comparisons to a Nazi salute.
In a statement released Wednesday, the ACC addressed the issue, stating that they were alerted to a video showing Robinson’s closing remarks where he quoted Musk, saying, “My heart goes out to you,” before performing a gesture that many interpreted as a pro-Nazi salute. This gesture, which involves tapping the right hand to the chest and extending the arm with the palm down, was applauded by the audience at the event. Musk had previously faced scrutiny for making a similar gesture to supporters during a public appearance post-inauguration.
The ACC explained that while it cannot definitively judge Robinson’s intentions, his action seemed to be directed at attracting support from certain factions within American right-wing politics, effectively trivializing the seriousness of the Nazi salute. The church emphasized that such actions conflict with the integrity expected of a priest and noted that Robinson had received prior warnings against engaging in online trolling.
The church further emphasized that imitating the Nazi salute, even jokingly, diminishes the historical atrocities of the Holocaust and the sacrifices made by those who opposed it. Robinson had only been with the ACC since 2024 after leaving the Church of England, where he claimed political bias contributed to his lack of ordination. He had previously served in other ecclesiastical roles, but found himself increasingly at odds with the institutions.
In light of these events, the ACC’s decision aims to uphold the dignity of the priesthood and the values the church represents. This controversial incident highlights ongoing tensions within religious communities regarding political expressions and their potential consequences.
Summary: Father Calvin Robinson has been defrocked by the Anglican Catholic Church after performing a gesture likened to a Nazi salute at a pro-life event, raising significant concerns about the implications of such actions on the church’s values and the seriousness of historical atrocities. This situation also sheds light on the ongoing struggles within religious institutions regarding political affiliations and actions.