Why focus on racial justice? 
Racial justice is at the heart of the working for justice theme of our vision to Make Jesus Known. Racial justice is the equal treatment of everyone, regardless of ethnicity or race. Scripture tells us that God does not distinguish between humanity based on race, skin colour or country of birth but we live in a world broken by racism and discrimination, and the Church needs to reckon with its own legacy of racism.
In the 2020 report ‘From Lament to Action’, the Church of England recognised that its ‘good intentions’ towards being a church where people of diverse backgrounds could feel at home, had never been properly resourced or followed through in terms of policies or practical actions.
In response to this important report, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York established the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice to drive change within the Church and implement the recommendations of ‘From Lament to Action’. The Racial Justice Unit has been established to resource this work at all levels of the Church – within parishes, schools, deaneries, dioceses, cathedrals and Theological Education Institutions.
Fundamentally, the unit exists to try to help churches in England think through and implement an approach to ‘being church’ which allows everyone within our local church communities to contribute and belong, whether their family have lived in the area for generations – or for just a few weeks.
What is happening in this diocese?
In the Diocese of Salisbury, a small working group of people united with a passion for justice was formed in 2023 to progress the recommendations of the Lament to Action report and consider practical steps to encourage parishes to consider what racial justice means in their context,as well as looking at HR and the recruitment of a more diverse clergy and lay team. The working group put in a bid for funding for training for Bishop's Council members and staff on racial justice, and to host a conference in partnership with Gypsy Roma Friendly Church on the Church and the Gypsy Roma Traveller Community. That conference is planned for May 2025 at Salisbury Cathedral and more details will be available shortly. The Diocese employs a part time chaplain to the Gypsy Roma Traveller Community, Jonathan Herbert, who supports members of the community who live in this diocese. You can email Jonathan to find out more about his work here.
Training for Bishop's Council members is scheduled for January 2025.
The working group members are currently: Olatande Adebambo, (HR, Learning and Development manager), Rev Canon Rachma Abbott, Rev Canon Jonathan Herbert, Rev Katharine Robinson (Governance Support officer) Rebecca Paveley (Communications and engagement director).
Revd Katharine Robinson is establishing a network to support people in parishes passionate about justice and committed to continued learning in this area. Email Katharine if you'd like to find more or join this supportive network.
Racial Justice Sunday
Racial Justice Sunday 2025 is 9 February. Churches are encouraged to reflect and teach on racial justice on this day. Some resources are available to support parishes:
Liturgical Resources for Racial Justice Sunday
Black History Month
October celebrates Black History Month; a time for celebrating, sharing and remembering the importance of the impact of black heritage and culture.
The Church of England says "The Church has immense formative power within the wider community and such power begins in our worship of God. Racism is at root an issue of power, the limiting of the capacity of certain people and groups to act whilst privileging and promoting the capacity of others, solely on the grounds of racial characterisation. Our worship and the life of the Church are not free from these dynamics."
There are a variety of resources to spark conversations and support church services during this month, or any other month. At the heart of this invitation is an intentional focus on and attention to God, and God’s will for all people, and life in all its fullness according to the image of God in which all are created.
We'd love to share what is happening in churches in the Diocese of Salisbury - do get in touch with us. Small grants are available from the national church to help put on commemorations for Black History Month, contact the Racial Justice unit to find out more.
'After the Flood' is a film that looks at the roots of church involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and legacies, from instituting white supremacy, to the admission of racism today. It explores how the church has faced its slave past and made positive change, and ask what Christian reconciliation might look like today.
Collect for Black History Month
Compassionate God,
who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,
create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,
to see the image of God in every person,
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending misunderstandings, racism and injustice, creating communities of human flourishing,
through Jesus Christ your son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever
Amen
Case study: Dorchester parish moves monument to slave owner from church to museum
Read here about the dedication and vision of one of our parishes to remove a monument from the walls of a church to a more appropriate location, and watch the video below.
