In an outspoken attack, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch said the group had 'a racial analysis at the core of its philosophy' that was incompatible with British democracy.
He called for all mainstream parties - and people of all faiths - to reject the BNP in European Parliament elections this summer.
The bishop was speaking at a meeting of the full council at Manchester town hall.
"There are those who do not share our vision of Manchester and who will seek political success by preaching a message of division and hatred," he said. "They will use racism and other prejudice to challenge the very diversity which strengthens our city.
"They will exploit the difficult times which presently face our country, trying to turn one community against the other.
Scapegoat
"They will use difference as a scapegoat, because they have nothing else to offer in response to the issues we face."
The bishop added: "At the heart of our political process is belief in democratic representation - a belief that values difference and, yes, seeks the common good. The BNP does neither. It offers only division, fear and hatred.
"I make no apology for speaking of the BNP directly. This party has a racial analysis at the core of its philosophy. It claims that it is not a racist party, but it calls at least for a segregation of the races."
The bishop denied his attack was `over the top' and simply giving the BNP 'the oxygen of publicity'.
He compared the situation to pre-war Germany, quoting a pastor who regretted failing to speak out against the Nazis.
"I don't need to remind you that the Nazi party was democratically elected by the German population," he added. "That is why a key task for us must be to deliver the maximum possible turnout at the European elections in June."
Bishop Nigel is the first bishop in living memory to address a council meeting in Manchester.
He was speaking in support of the cross-party `Hope not Hate' campaign, which is seeking to marginalise the BNP and other extremist groups.
The council went on to pass a motion condemning those who 'deliver messages of hate aimed to divide our communities and whip up intolerance and violence against our neighbours'.
The BNP is planning to target the north west region in the June elections, with leader Nick Griffin at the top of their list of candidates.
Simon Darby, deputy leader of the BNP, said: "It is not up to the church to tell people who they can and cannot vote for.
"He talks about democracy but democracy is when people decide. It is not done by senior members of the church abusing their position by trying to bully people."
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Frostee, Oldham (25/03/2009 at 13:16)
But that just equates somewhat to what many, if not most, religions preach does it not? Oh, and for those who think it is only Islam that wants homosexuals and various others put to death in distinctly ghastly ways - read the Christian bible, there's enough material in there for the production of a horror movie. Indeed, when compared to the BNP, religions are way ahead in the context of 'division, fear and hatred'.
Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (25/03/2009 at 13:16)
This Governments lack of grip on immigration - suspected terrorists being brought to this country by Labour MPs, both Labour and Tory MPs hammering the expenses in a manner us mere mortals would be doing time for fraud for.....
Who can I vote for?
The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (25/03/2009 at 13:27)
The views of Anglican Bishops don't count for anything now. They don't speak for anybody. The Anglican community is generally a load of old folk who only use church as a community centre.
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (25/03/2009 at 13:49)
Mark, South Manchester (25/03/2009 at 13:58)
So the BNP thickoes have no respect for our Queen and the British Monarchy?
The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (25/03/2009 at 14:04)
The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (25/03/2009 at 14:07)
Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (25/03/2009 at 14:08)
Count Alucard, Stretford (25/03/2009 at 14:08)
bloody religion that has ever infected the world. - Voltaire
Black Flag (25/03/2009 at 14:24)
The church and the BNP both have a profile well above the level of their support. We've got better things to worry about than a few cranks.
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (25/03/2009 at 14:31)
CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (25/03/2009 at 14:46)
So if a vicar said 'Let's kick out all non whites' you'd say 'Keep out of politics..' Course you would!
Munkey Boy, Audenshaw (25/03/2009 at 14:53)
I've had a chilling 30 minutes flicking through some searches on BNP policy and activities, and it makes frightening reading. Links to fascist parties across Europe and beyond are prevalent and far too common to be deemed as one-off instances, while stories of violence and intimidation abound.
Reading their official policy didn't cheer me up either with a miraculously convenient description of the indigenous population being entirely white, and mentions of "voluntary" repatriation for "non-indigenous" peoples.
It's scary reading and undermines my faith in the basic truth that this is an island of tolerance, understanding and curiousity for the truth.
I'll campaign as much as the next man for the impartiality of our governance from the church and any form of religion based law, but anyone believing the BNP is the right way to go about it is sorely mistaken. My grandparents fought the fascists in WWII, there's no way we should let them in the back door now.
Elliott Pest, Newton, Nr. Hyde. (25/03/2009 at 15:09)
Its about time the chuch put their own house in order, never mind getting involved in politics. Religion and the so called preachers of it are the root cause of all wars, and the christian church being one of the worst.
The Bishop of Manchester and his cronie follows should keep their mouths shut.
Frostee, Oldham (25/03/2009 at 15:16)
Quite possibly it does Munkey. But have you read the Bible or The Holy Qur'an, etc? When it comes to 'chilling' and 'frightening reading' religious documents are in a league of their own, way out in front of any BNP literature.
Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (25/03/2009 at 15:20)
If you think that reading through the BNP's policies and activities makes frightening reading try reading the comments made by Maltese people to the Maltese press about the problems that illegal immigration is causing the Island. The Maltese are also known to be a tolerant people and are generally welcoming to incomers but the whole issue of illegal immigrants is the straw that has broken the camels back. Although the major political parties are attempting to address the problem the Catholic church in Malta is conspicuous by its silence on the subject. If there wasn't a problem in the UK you wouldn't have the growth of right wing parties such as the BNP.
zarquon, bramhall (25/03/2009 at 15:47)
The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (25/03/2009 at 15:48)
I seem to recall, Munkey, that you were one of the voices in the wilderness viz a viz the congestion charge. You proved then to be spectacularly out of touch with the people of Manchester. I would suggest that you are similarly out of touch here. The BNP and anyone else who has the bottle to question this government's catastrophic immigration policy will do very very well. Sorry Bishop and Munkey the times they are a changin. Live with it.
Munkey Boy, Audenshaw (25/03/2009 at 15:50)
Bejjy, migration patterns are just a causal effect of imbalances of wealth an oppresssion. Wealthy, open minded nations such as ours have an obligation to minimise these inequalities and immigration "problems" solve themselves. We haven't got a good track record of this recently though, so we reap what we sow.
Black Flag (25/03/2009 at 15:51)
What growth? They've got a handful of councillors, which they struggle to hang on to and pretty much zero representation anywhere else. That situation has been the same for years.
Also, the description of the BNP as a right wing party is inaccurate - it is a racist authoritarian left-wing party.
Munkey Boy, Audenshaw (25/03/2009 at 15:53)
But it takes good men to do nothing to let evil win, so rest assured, I won't be doing nothing.
kilrush (25/03/2009 at 15:56)
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (25/03/2009 at 15:59)
Maybe the church should be doing its own work and start to ask why are the christians not allowed to practice their religion ?And yet we in britain bend over backwards to other religions....
Jay B, oldham (25/03/2009 at 16:00)
i am also fed up of all the people, native or immegrant who are sponging off the idiotic systems that our beloved government has put in place.
stop giving the tax payers money away! spend it on us!
if they dont want to work then fine! but dont give them anything!
while all these are in place the resentment will continue and the BNP thrive off that!
Savage Mandarin, Manchester (25/03/2009 at 16:01)
Remember that, the next time you see a Muslim demonstation against our soldiers, or read of another mosque preaching sedition and jihad behind its closed doors - and then wait to see what our Council - and our Government do then.......just don't hold your breath.