Racial Justice
Racial justice means recognising the image of God in every person, affirming the diversity of God’s creation, and ensuring that all people can fully participate in the life, leadership, and worship of the Church.
The Diocese of York is committed to growing healthy churches that reflect the rich diversity of God’s multi-cultural and multi-ethnic kingdom. This commitment is rooted in our common baptism, which gives each of us an identity as belonging to Christ and to one another. Baptism affirms our fundamental human dignity and calls us to reject sin in all its forms, including the sin of racism.
“But God has put the body together…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.”
1 Corinthians 12.24-26
Racial Justice Education Adviser
Gerald Fox is the Racial Justice Education Adviser for the Diocese of York. His role is to support churches, clergy, and lay leaders in understanding diversity and inclusion, embracing difference, and becoming actively anti-racist. Gerald is available to answer questions or share resources to help you explore racial justice in your church or community.
Our Racial Justice Charter
“My desire is for us to be a Christ-like and Jesus-shaped community that reflects every race and heritage in the Diocese of York: in our mission, our congregations and our leadership”
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, Foreword to the Diocese of York Racial Justice Charter
In November 2022, the Diocesan Synod adopted its Racial Justice Charter. The Charter affirms the work of anti-racism and the pursuit of greater diversity and inclusion as central to our diocesan strategy, Living Christ’s Story.
The Charter outlines a set of diocesan commitments, some of which stem from the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce report, From Lament to Action.
From Lament to Action confronts the racism embedded in our society and institutions. It addresses the legacy of empire and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, including how these histories are memorialised in monuments and statues. The initiative also challenges fear-based attitudes toward difference and highlights the Church’s slow progress in tackling racism. It calls for meaningful change so that our churches become places where everyone can fully belong and participate
Resources for Racial Justice
Reading list
This is a suggested reading list of books about race, racism, and the church that are suitable for the general reader. You might find these helpful to inform your thinking as an individual or promote discussions about racial justice within your parish.
Racial Justice Reading List
PDF / 175 KB
Black History Month
Black History Month in the UK takes place every October. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of black heritage and culture to British history and society. You can find more information, news, and resources at www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk.
Churches can take part using special Liturgical Resources created for Black History Month. These include services, prayers of lament and commissioning, and materials for Bible study, youth work, Messy Church, and music.
Racial Justice Sunday
Racial Justice Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of February and is an opportunity for the church to reflect on the impact of racism in our society and to commit itself to pursuing racial justice.
The Difference Course
The Difference Course is a five-session programme for groups, either in person or online. It helps people think about how we deal with differences and disagreements while pursuing a more just and flourishing world. It’s a great starting point for deeper conversations about racism and anti-racist practice in your church or community. All the materials are free and available here: The Course – Difference: Make your faith count in a complex and divided world (rln.global).
We Need to Talk About Race
“We Need to Talk About Race” is a four-session study for small groups, based on Ben Lindsay’s book. You don’t have to read the book to take part, but it can help deepen your understanding. The sessions explore topics like the experiences of Black people in churches and society, the history of racism and slavery, and how we can take action together. The course encourages honest conversations and helps churches become more inclusive. You can find the resource here: We Need To Talk About Race – Home Groups.