LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan priest has had his license revoked by the Anglican Catholic Church after mimicking a straight-arm gesture performed by Elon Musk during a speech at a National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, D.C. on January 25. The gesture, which many interpreted as resembling a Nazi salute, has led to significant backlash and resulted in Calvin Robinson's dismissal as priest-in-charge at St. Paul's Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.

The church released a statement condemning the gesture, absolving any intent from Robinson but emphasizing that "his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition." The statement further noted, “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.”

This incident follows a similar gesture made by Musk during a speech at a post-inauguration event for President Donald Trump, where he also claimed, “My heart goes out to you.” Robinson echoed this phrase before performing the straight-arm motion that drew instant controversy.

Robinson defended his actions, labeling them as a joke aimed at mocking critiques of Musk, stating on his Facebook page, “In case it needs saying: I am not a Nazi.” He described the gesture as an attempt at dry British humor meant to chastise what he perceives as hysterical liberal critiques.

The Anglican Catholic Church has taken a strong stance against actions construed as glorifying Nazi ideology. They highlighted the importance of understanding the history of the Holocaust and condemned any actions that might diminish its unspeakable horror. “We condemn Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism in all its forms,” read the statement from the church.

Before this incident, Robinson had been warned about online trolling and other behavior that conflicts with the role of a priest. His previous outspoken conservative views already had marked him as a controversial figure.

This incident has sparked further discussions regarding political figures and the interpretation of gestures in the current sociopolitical climate. Robinson’s case has drawn comparisons to ongoing debates about public expressions, freedom of speech, and the ramifications of political rhetoric in religious and public settings. For further reading, you can visit AP News, CBS News, and HuffPost.