The Anglican Catholic Church has revoked the license from priest Calvin Robinson after he made a gesture during a speech at a Washington summit that "many interpreted as a pro-Nazi salute."
Robinson stated that he received "hundreds of unpleasant calls" and messages from "very bitter, angry, and malicious leftists." He defended himself on social media by saying:
"I am not a Nazi, but I forgive you for your ignorance."
The joke at the end [of the speech] was a mockery of hysterical 'liberals' who called Elon Musk a Nazi simply for making it clear to the audience that his heart was with them, Robinson also noted on his social media.
The church's statement suggested that Robinson's actions "appeared to be an attempt to gain favor with certain elements of the American political right."
The church also emphasized:
"We condemn Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism in all its forms. And we believe that those who mimic the Nazi salute, even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents, trivialize the horror of the Holocaust and diminish the sacrifice of those who fought against its perpetrators. Such actions are harmful, divisive, and contrary to the tenets of Christian charity."