The Racial Justice Action Group
Purpose
The primary purpose of the group is to provide strategic oversight and act as a steering group that supports the Diocese of Norwich to become a racially ‘just’ Diocese at all levels and stages. The Church of England has determined to scrutinise its own structures and practices to eliminate racial injustice. By fully integrating racial justice into operational and decision making processes, we aim to become a critical friend, advocate on behalf of those suffering racist abuse, provide support at all levels, hold people and structures to account and build capacity and respresentation in order to achieve equality of access, opportunity and outcome undergirded by the Biblical mandate for justice (Amos 5: 24) and fairness (Acts 10: 34-35)
Members of the Racial Justice Action Group
- Revd Canon Karlene Kerr, Priest-in-Charge of St John the Evangelist, King’s Lynn; Bishop’s Lead on the response to From Lament to Action, Rural Dean of Lynn.
- The Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen
- Revd Tim Yau, Associate Priest in the Sprowston and North Norwich Team Ministry, Member of ‘The Teahouse’, a national network of Chinese heritage clergy in the Church of England.
- Revd Austin Uzoigwe, Team Vicar in the Tas Valley Team Ministry
- Elizabeth Humphries, Communications Manager with the Diocese of Norwich
- Revd Cheryl Ramballi, Associate Priest to the Blofield and Broadside Benefice.
- Revd Jassica Castillo-Burley, Team Vicar in the Great Yarmouth Parishes
The Racial Justice Toolkit
The Racial Justice toolkit was published in October 2024 with the aim of supporting all parishes across Norfolk and Waveney with resources, ideas and terminology to use in church settings. The toolkit is full of helpful information and anti racism resources, including history, relevance for today, what the bible has to say and guidance for parishes. It also contains liturgy and prayers to use in church services as well as ideas and support for schools.
Context
In June 2020, the House of Bishops agreed to the creation of the Archbishop’s Anti-Racism taskforce and published a report the following year called ‘From Lament to Action’. The report called for urgent changes to the structure and culture of the Church of England.
In October 2021, the taskforces was replaced by the Archbishop’s Racial Justice Commission, chaired by Lord Boateng, which now oversees and implements change at a national level.
In the Diocese of Norwich, the Racial Justice Action Group was established to move the work forward in a local context. The primary purpose of the group is to provide strategic oversight and act as a steering group.
Racial Justice Toolkit
You can download the toolkit here. The resources on page 32 contain digital links for viewing.
If your church would like a hard copy, please contact hello@dioceseofnorwich.org to request one.
Please refer any comments or feedback to Revd Canon Karlene Kerr at: karlene.kerr@dioceseofnorwich.org
From Lament to Action
Participation
Ensuring the full participation of UKME/GMH Anglicans in the life of the Church of England.
Education
The Church of England plays a vital role in education. This priority area considers content and curriculum development, equipping teachers, tutors and other educators.
Training and Mentoring
To achieve lasting change and to embed anti-racism practice at all levels.
Young People
This priority area seeks to create opportunities for UKME/GMH young people to participate within the Church both locally and systematically.
Structures and Governance
The Taskforce recommends ‘consciously modifying the structures and governance of the Church of England to allow for the effective participation of UKME/GMH people at every level.
Final Report from the Archbishops' Commission for Racial Justice
The Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice has published its sixth and final report, following three years of extensive interrogation and questioning of the Church of England’s willingness to embed racial justice in its structures and the practice of its ministry.
Mandated to drive ‘significant cultural and structural change on issues of racial justice within the Church of England’, the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice (ACRJ), headed by The Rt Hon. Lord Paul Boateng, was charged with monitoring, holding to account and supporting the implementation of the 47 recommendations of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce which were laid out in the Taskforce’s comprehensive 2021 report, From Lament to Action.
