THE Bishop of Worcester is urging people to use their vote to stamp out the threat of racist candidates in the local elections.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, and the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev David Walker, issued a joint statement reinforced their united view that the Christian faith abhors all forms of racism and racial prejudice.

"We believe that Christians have a particular moral obligation to protect the marginalised and minorities in our society and promote harmony and unity in our local community," they said.

The bishops urged voters to use their vote, tomorrow, to support those candidates and political parties who shared their view that racism in all its forms was to be rejected.

They were aiming their message especially at the 70 per cent who declared themselves to be Christian in the national 2001 Census.

"Together we can create a tolerant and inclusive society in which each person, regardless of ethnic origin, has the opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of all," they added.

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