LANSING, Mich. (AP) – A Michigan priest, Calvin Robinson, has faced disciplinary action by the Anglican Catholic Church after mimicking a gesture associated with a Nazi salute during a speech at the National Pro-Life Summit on January 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The gesture he performed closely resembled one made by Elon Musk in a previous speech, which has drawn significant public scrutiny and interpretations of being pro-Nazi.
Robinson, who serves as the priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, quoted Musk's statement, “my heart goes out to you,” while mimicking Musk's straight-arm salute. This act was met with backlash, prompting the Anglican Catholic Church to release a public statement announcing the revocation of Robinson’s license due to his actions, which were perceived as a serious affront to the remembrance of the Holocaust.
In the statement from the church, it was emphasized that, while the true intent behind Robinson's action could not definitively be established, his choice of gesture was seen as an attempt to provoke reactions from specific segments of the American political right. The church expressed that any mimicry of Nazi salutes, even if framed as humor or an act of trolling, serves to diminish the gravitas associated with the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Calvin Robinson responded to the controversy via a statement on his Facebook page, asserting emphatically, “I am not a Nazi,” and describing his previous gesture as intended to be a joke. Robinson, who hails from England, has a history of vocalizing his conservative viewpoints, further complicating the public's perception of his actions at the National Pro-Life Summit.
The gesture that sparked this incident was first displayed by Elon Musk during a speech celebrating Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on January 20, 2023. Musk's motion involved slapping his hand on his chest and extending his arm outward while saying, “My heart goes out to you.” This act later became a point of contention when replicated by Robinson, leading to the significant backlash he faced.
The Anglican Catholic Church’s swift response to revoke Robinson's license illustrates the broader implications of gestures that can be associated with historical atrocities, reflecting a sensitivity towards the ongoing discourse about hate symbols and the responsibilities of public figures. This incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between jest and disrespect, particularly in contexts deeply impacted by historical suffering.
