LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan priest had his license revoked by the Anglican Catholic Church after he mimicked a straight-arm gesture performed by Elon Musk, which has been interpreted by many as a Nazi salute. The priest, Calvin Robinson, who served as the priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, executed the gesture during a speech at the National Pro-Life Summit held in Washington, D.C., on January 25.

The Anglican Catholic Church issued a statement this week clarifying that Robinson’s license had been rescinded due to his actions, which they described as a “gesture that many have interpreted as a pro-Nazi salute.” They emphasized, “While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition.” The church strongly condemned any mimicry of Nazi gestures, stating, “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.”

The controversial gesture Robinson imitated occurred during Elon Musk’s speech at a post-inauguration celebration for President Donald Trump. Musk had slapped his hand on his chest, extended his arm straight out and upwards with his palm facing down, while saying, “My heart goes out to you.” Robinson quoted Musk’s phrase and duplicated the arm motion at the end of his speech.

Robinson took to his Facebook page to clarify that he did not identify as a Nazi and labeled the gesture as a “joke” aimed at mocking what he referred to as “hysterical ‘liberals’” who criticized Musk. He stated, “In case it needs saying: I am not a Nazi,” further arguing that his action was intended to be humorous, insisting it was meant as “dry wit, in that typical British way.”

The backlash has been swift, with many condemning the gesture as disrespectful and harmful. The incendiary context surrounding the Nazi salute meant that Robinson’s actions were quickly scrutinized, leading to a formal reprimand from the church. This incident illustrates the tension between personal expressions of free speech and the responsibilities associated with non-profit religious positions.

For further information, please refer to the article by AP News, CBS News, and The Guardian.