Racial Justice

Photo of Black Lives Matter sign

Addressing racism in the Church is the work of all God’s people. The diocesan Racial Justice Forum has been established to raise awareness of the importance of racial justice and to help our churches commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. 

All are welcome to join the forum - contact Bishop Martin in the first instance.

 

General Synod receives a presentation on the Church Commissioners' work on historic slavery links

At the February 2024 session of the Church of England’s General Synod, a presentation was given on the Church Commissioners’ work to address historic links with African chattel enslavement. Read the speeches given and understand the facts behind some of the myths circulating since then on this document.

Racial Justice Sunday 2024

Churches Together has published resources for Racial Justice Sunday on 11 February. Find material for a bespoke service or a prayer that can be used in a normal Sunday service on their website

Watch a video on from Bishop Martin recorded for Racial Justice Sunday in 2023.

Black History Month 2024

Other ways to mark Black History Month:

A brief background to the Racial Justice Forum

Racial justice is an area that the Diocese has been keen to raise awareness about. It is an area with many facets and which has spanned many years, however it is the personal experiences shared and the stories that are told, that really explains the true impact of what racism means for our fellow human beings.

To help progress this work, Bishop Martin brought together a group of lay and clergy members from the ethnic minority to help guide and steer this work. The group was called MEAL which stands for Minority Ethnic Anglican Leaders. This group met together online for a few meetings and also met in person. The members used their skills and experience of working in General Synod, Deanery meetings, Law, Bishops Council, Criminal Justice System, and being a church member, to discuss and consider racism and racial justice.

In June 2022, members of the MEAL group met together to consider the future focus for the group.  It was agreed that the group would benefit from the membership being increased so that it did not just include ethnic minority members. The group also felt that the name should be changed to better reflect the focus of our work ie working towards racial justice.

The result of this meeting was that the Racial Justice Forum was created. This group now includes additional members who bring a passion and interest for this area of work. We have met twice and focussed on developing material that will start with Black History Month in October but will continue to inform and share information, experiences, articles, stories, discussions as part of an ongoing journey of discernment about the lives and contributions of ethnic people within our history and Diocese. We hope you will make use of the resources and events that will be shared. The Racial Justice Forum welcomes ideas and suggestions that can help to develop this work further. 

Useful resources: 


Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
Page last updated: Wednesday 28th August 2024 3:21 PM
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