York's Constantine statue NOT under threat

The statue of Constantine the Great at York Minster is NOT under threat – but the Church of England has launched a review of all their monuments in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

A spokesperson for the Minster said the statue of the former Roman emperor in Minster Yard is not under threat – despite reports in national media.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the Church of England will look at statues “very carefully” to see if they should be there.

The Most Rev Justin Welby suggested “some will have to come down” but said it is not his decision and that monuments would be put “in context”.

The bronze statue of Constantine the Great was commissioned by York Civic Trust and designed by sculptor Philip Jackson.

Local Democracy Reporter, Chloe Laversuch, says:

The Minster has not received a single complaint about the statue

A spokesperson said the review is a “complex matter” and added:

“It is about recognising those specific examples of where memorials are, what they mean to people and the behaviours which are still reflected in prejudices and discrimination today, and ensuring that the whole story is told in those cases, especially voices which have historically been ignored.”

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