Bradford Cathedral have hosted the annual Bradford and District Legal Service, which also considered matters of racial justice, as it was held on Racial Justice Sunday.
The service, held on Sunday, February 9, had everyone gathered on a crisp February morning, ready to process into the Cathedral.
The vibrant mix of different robes brought colour to the Cathedral Close, as well as a nod to the special year with the Lord Mayor’s Consort, Mr Tom Mullaney, wearing a branded Bradford 2025 scarf.
Taking the form of Choral Matins from the Book of Common Prayer (1662), members of the legal profession were welcomed to the Cathedral, including solicitors; the Junior Counsel; the King's Counsel; Justices of the Peace; the Chairman of the Bench; District Judges; Tribunal Judges; the HM Coroner, Circuit Judges; Judges of the High Court; and the Senior Presiding Judge.
Joining them were the Under Sheriff and High Sheriff of West Yorkshire; the Lord Mayor of Bradford; the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire; the Bishops of Bradford & Huddersfield; and members of the clergy of Bradford Cathedral.
The service began with a fanfare composed by Robert Webb, Bass Section Lead and Lay Clerk in the Cathedral Choir, played by the Clifton and Lightcliffe Brass Band, led by John Clay.
This was followed by the National Anthem, which also included singing by the boys and adults of the Cathedral Choir, conducted by the Director of Music Graham Thorpe.
William Campbell, the Cathedral's Assistant Director of Music, played the organ.
Being Racial Justice Sunday, the music and readings were appropriately themed, with the anthem from an African-American Spiritual by Undine Smith-Moore, and a special prayer, sung by the Revd Pete Gunstone, Minor Canon for Worship and Nurture.
The preacher was the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield.
She touched on the themes of the day, through references to racial disparity in health care; inclusion in the Church of England ("the stained glass ceiling"); contested heritage; and reparations.
The sermon also addressed Bradford 2025; financial inequalities; the upcoming fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown (mentioning the contribution of consultations, clinicians and cleaners and that "the first ten doctors who sacrificed their lives were all minority ethnic"); and the importance of education, always bringing it back to the theme of law to reflect those present in the room: "justice is at the heart of God."
Bishop Smitha also gave the congregation a moment to reflect on the beautiful music sung by the Bradford Cathedral Choir, though promising to avoid too much of a 'sermon snoozer'.
"Let justice flow down like waters," she began, "and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
“Imagine a world in which a deep, enriching human community is formed on the principles of love, mercy, humility, equality, sharing and peace.
“A place where individuals and whole communities flourish."
The service was hosted by the Revd Canon Ned Lunn in the absence of the Dean, the Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, who had completed the TriYAS triathlon the day before in the excellent time of 3:16:22.
Readings by His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose and Ms Tracey McErlain-Burns, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Branch; and prayers led by His Honour Judge Jonathan Gibson, rounded out the service.
The Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, brought the service to a close with some timely comments about the judiciary's independence and its accountability to God before offering a blessing.
After the service, those in attendance gathered on the West steps for the traditional group photo.