The Anglican Catholic Church has revoked the license of a British priest, Calvin Robinson, effectively barring him from serving in any of its dioceses. The disciplinary action stems from Robinson’s mimicking of a controversial gesture made by Elon Musk, which some interpret as a Nazi salute. Robinson, who briefly served as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, performed the gesture at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, D.C., on January 25, 2025, shortly after Musk himself had used it during a rally following President Trump’s second inauguration. Robinson’s replication of the gesture, coupled with his repetition of Musk’s accompanying phrase, “My heart goes out to you,” quickly drew criticism and ultimately led to his dismissal from the church.
The controversy surrounding the gesture originated with Musk’s use of it on January 20, 2025. During a speech at the post-inauguration rally, Musk struck his chest and extended his right arm in a manner reminiscent of the Nazi salute. While Musk’s supporters argued that the gesture was an innocent expression of goodwill, detractors pointed to his association with far-right political figures in Europe, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, as evidence of a more sinister intent. Musk, who has Asperger’s syndrome, a condition that can impact social interactions and interpretation of body language, later denied any Nazi affiliation and attributed the criticism to “bitter, angry, vile leftists.”
Robinson’s imitation of the gesture, which he later posted on X (formerly Twitter), ignited a firestorm of controversy. While he maintained that the gesture was not intended as a Nazi salute, the Anglican Catholic Church viewed his actions as deeply problematic. In a statement released on Thursday, the College of Bishops condemned Robinson’s behavior, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to provoke the political left and curry favor with the right. The statement further revealed that Robinson had been previously warned about his online behavior and its incompatibility with his priestly vocation.
The Church’s decision to revoke Robinson’s license was not solely based on the gesture itself but rather represented a culmination of concerns regarding his conduct. Bishop Damien Mead of the United Kingdom Diocese clarified that the decision was a local one made by the American Archbishop and bishops and that it was not taken lightly. He emphasized that the revocation wasunlikely to be reversed but that the possibility of future reinstatement rested solely with the American diocese. Mead further explained that Robinson had only recently been ordained by the Nordic Catholic Church before moving to the U.S. in 2024 to assume his position at St. Paul’s.
The incident sparked a significant online backlash, with Robinson claiming to have received a barrage of abusive messages. He reiterated his denial of any Nazi sympathies and attributed the criticism to the “ignorance” of his detractors. Meanwhile, the College of Bishops underscored the gravity of mimicking Nazi symbolism, emphasizing that such actions trivialize the horrors of the Holocaust and are antithetical to Christian principles. They condemned Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism in all forms, highlighting the importance of respecting the victims and survivors of this historical tragedy.
The future of Robinson’s career remains uncertain. Having been removed from his priestly duties, he is likely to return to the UK and resume his political activities with the UK Independence Party (UKIP), where he served as lead spokesman. Robinson’s previous attempts at elected office within the Conservative Party proved unsuccessful, but his outspoken nature and right-wing affiliations suggest a continued engagement within the political sphere. The Anglican Catholic Church has made it clear that any further actions regarding Robinson will be handled by authorities within or outside the Church in the U.S.
