A report on progress on racial justice in all 42 CofE dioceses has noted that in Leeds, this important work is “a whole diocese matter”.
Progress on Racial Justice across the Church of England Dioceses from the Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns (CMEAC), gives an account of how all 42 dioceses have responded to From Lament to Action FLTA) recommendations along with examples of good practice and case studies.
The review covers the work of the dioceses in promoting diversity and inclusion from support for UKME/GMH vocations, to racial justice charters, and work in partnership with local racial justice groups.
CMEAC Chair the Very Rev Rogers Govender said: “There is still much to be accomplished but I am encouraged by the examples of prayer, faith and action detailed in this report.
“Each diocese is unique and all are on a journey towards justice, inclusion and equality for all people. The large majority began work on this issue after the publication of FLTA, but this report also shows that some have been working to promote diversity for some time."
Revd Dr Sharon Prentis, Deputy Racial Justice Director for the Church of England said: “Much remains to be done but there are also many examples of work by the dioceses showing that they have taken the findings of FLTA very seriously.
“Our commitment to racial justice is rooted in our Christian faith and every neighbour, regardless of colour, class, or creed, is an image-bearer of God.”
The new report’s comments regarding the Diocese of Leeds included: “Racial justice is a ‘whole diocese’ matter. Since its formation in 2014, the Diocese has taken a number of steps to promote racial justice.
“This has included racial justice/unconscious bias training and working supportively with the UKME clergy group. In 2018, a Diocesan Lay Conference was organised to encourage lay discipleship and ministry, attracting 1,000 participants. This included designated places for UKME participants from parishes, together with UKME contributors to plenary sessions. Following the Conference, a UKME lay fellowship began to meet.
“Following the publication of FLTA, further steps have been taken. This has included two well-attended Diocesan symposia for clergy, one facilitated by the Windrush Group and a racial justice strand in the mandatory training for newly appointed clergy. Recent training offered to clergy included, ‘We need to talk about race, church and God’.
“The Diocese has connected racial justice to its Presence and Engagement work. An illustration of this is the training that is offered to clergy and curates. This included a day on racial justice led by Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. It included a conversation about the killings of Stephen Lawrence and George Floyd and how they impacted race relations in Britain; examining the theological underpinnings of racism; and examining the Church’s history of racism.
“There was also a session led by Mustapha Sheikh, Associate Professor of Islamic Thought and Muslim societies, exploring the reality of ‘Islamophobia’ and its intersectionality with ‘race’; the impact of Islamophobia on individuals and communities, and how the Church should respond to it.
“The Diocese is very keen to undertake research on the overlap of racial justice and interfaith.”
The full Progress on Racial Justice across the Church of England Dioceses report may be read here