THE take the knee BISHOPS across the country led Angli- The Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani, said: cans in ‘taking the knee’ to mark the “We must stand up and share our abhorrence death of American George Floyd and to of that racist brutality but also act in our own CHURCHOF highlight injustice in British society. areas to address the culture of discrimination The of Leicester, the Rt Rev Martyn we live in this society too.” Snow, led others in kneeling for eight min- Meanwhile the Bishop of , the Rt utes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Rev Dr , and the ENGLAND US police officer knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck. , the Rt Rev Bishop Snow said: “I am deeply shocked by ‘took the knee’ in front of the Charred Cross the appalling brutality we have seen against in the Cathedral Ruins. Newspaper black people in America and I stand along- In Manchester hundreds of people joined side those who are suffering and peacefully in a ‘Protest through Prayer’ event as a form calling for urgent change, as well as commit- of action in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter ting to make changes in our own lives and organised by the Archdeacon of Manchester. the institutions we are part of. This week the 12 June, 2020 “Structural and systemic racial prejudice said: “The racism that people in this country £1.50 exists across societies and institutions and experience is horrifying. The Church has No: 6539 we must act to change that, as well as failed here, and still does, and it’s clear what Established in 1828 addressing our own unconscious biases that Jesus commands us to do: repent and take lead us to discriminate against others.” Earli- action.” er this year he led the General Synod in a Download our App on vote to apologise for racism in the Church. The Bishop of Loughborough, page 7

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Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani We need to look at our own record On Monday morning, two treating them with dignity and weeks since the murder of re-instating them to their George Floyd, I, together with rightful place within the several colleagues, took the community. The writings and knee outside Leicester theology of Paul, best known Cathedral. We knelt in silence perhaps in Galatians, underline for 8 minutes 46 seconds, the that in Christ there is neither time it took Floyd to die as the Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, police officer knelt on his neck. male nor female, “for all of you Ours was a representative are one in Christ Jesus”. All this action on behalf of the takes us eventually to the vision Leadership Team and the of the New Creation in diocese at a time when we are Revelation where all nations are mindful of restrictions on brought together before the gatherings. We could have filled throne of God, equal before the Cathedral Gardens many times Almighty. over and I was conscious of Celebrating and respecting being surrounded by a great racial diversity is apparent cloud of witnesses as we prayed across the whole vista of the for racial justice and equality. Bible and today too the Holy Why should we take this Spirit inspires us to continue action now and why are so working towards a time when many others – people of all God’s kingdom will show no colours and ethnicities – only partiality; where all colours and now joining in protests and races are honoured and demonstrations in this country celebrated. That’s why I believe and elsewhere? Surely, the that as well as a Government death of George Floyd, inquiry now is also the time for shocking though it was, is but open and transparent one example of the consideration within the discrimination that has long . Such a blighted society, its de- review may well be painful but humanising toxicity impacting is overdue. It will expose the structures and organisations? extent of racism that has Well, in many ways present seeped into our structures and actions do come far too late and organisation, and will enable us for that, repentance and effectively to address issues reparation is required. But and move purposefully into a sometimes there are moments future with greater justice and in history when one event equality. becomes a turning point. Thirty years ago the Events converge and that opportunity to create a moment becomes a catalyst for Commission for Black and long and lasting change. A line others, I am among a growing As the law was established, Minority Ethnic Anglican is crossed and there is no going number of voices calling for a throughout the Pentateuch, the Concerns was squandered back. The moment when Rosa public inquiry into the evident as well as a place of foreigners and when the Faith in the City Parks took her seat on that bus disparities and asking outsiders was recognised (eg, report led instead to a in Alabama all those years ago Government to outline clearly Government inquiry Leviticus 19:33-4). The stories Committee that (despite great in 1955 is another such what steps will be taken to now is also the time of Ruth and Naomi, of Esther, of efforts and much hard work) example. Only time will tell tackle racial prejudice more King Cyrus of Persia who simply had less power and whether Floyd’s death will be widely and challenge the for open and honoured the Jews in his impact than a Commission such a moment but I hope and culture of discrimination. kingdom, each demonstrate would have had. Enough is now pray so. Celebrating diversity has transparent that respecting racial diversity enough. This time, let’s not Floyd’s death came during a always been part of God’s consideration within and rejoicing in difference miss the chance to do the right time when Covid-19 has laid ecology. It was there from the takes us beyond familial and thing, begin making amends bare existing inequalities within start and will be there at the the Church of tribal ties. The poetry of Isaiah and find a better way. society, chiefly longstanding end. It is a Christian imperative, England dignifies those whom society But a brief word of warning. and systemic inequalities. The running like a thread undermines. The account of When it comes to matters of Public Health England report throughout Scripture. Right at Jonah reveals a compassionate justice and equality, it is in the Disparities in the risk of the beginning, the stories of God showing love for the end not possible to address outcomes of Covid-19 has creation (including the birth of people of Israel, and of the people of Nineveh despite the individual causes in isolation. If exposed that once again many humanity, male and female, responsibility of those with prophet’s plea for judgement we truly want to be a Church who are most marginalised are made in the image of God), say power to respect the human without mercy. where diversity is celebrated, bearing the heaviest cost, something about God’s love for dignity of all. Indeed in Genesis In the New Testament Jesus then we must find ways of among them people of BAME diversity; God’s self-expression 18 Abraham is visited by God is of course the most profound addressing other pressing heritage. Whilst further is an act of glorious variety. who appears in the guise of example of one who reaches questions including those research is needed to All through the Old three strangers. A reminder out to strangers, gentiles, around class, gender, sexuality understand the underlying Testament there are reminders that we encounter God in the outcasts, those who were and disability. Until we grasp scientific causes of why this about the value placed on all face of those who are other and considered different, the nettle we will forever fall virus impacts some more than God’s children, not just the unfamiliar. acknowledging their humanity, short of our true calling. 8 Friday 12 June, 2020 FEATURE

Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy The last dance? On Sunday 7 June, I watched Archbishop. As I followed his House of Bishops. with some emotion Dr John ministry over the years, I was We need to listen to the Sentamu lay down his crozier often struck by the sense of chorus of discontent rising on the high altar of York isolation and the loneliness he from our theological Minster, marking his final act must have experienced as a institutions, towards our as . This singular BAME voice in an mission agencies, and in all our simple gesture not only otherwise white institution. To governance structures. We brought to an end his me, he epitomises the need to listen to the protest that archiepiscopal ministry, but it experience of a host of people demands more than simple also marked the end of 25 years from the global diaspora who access to the room. It demands of history in the Church of are continually expected to a seat at the table and, more so, England. The first black singlehandedly shoulder the it requests an equal voice. archbishop of York, he was also burden of ethnic diversity and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. the last remaining of only two inclusion. As my friend Dr reminded a divided nation of diocesan bishops from the Elizabeth Henry says: “There is the imperative for swift action. global majority to ever serve in something perverse expecting Over half a century later, I the Church of England. those who are oppressed and believe that Dr King’s words I cannot claim to have known excluded to be the architects of have renewed significance for Archbishop Sentamu well eliminating their oppression our Church. We would do well enough to offer any meaningful and exclusion.” to heed his words and act assessment of his character. In recent weeks, we have swiftly to address and redress However, like many, I have witnessed, in the global wave of the painful legacy of the loved his passion for a gospel people who have taken to the structural and systemic racism preoccupied with issues of streets, some extraordinary that continues to plague our social justice, his enthusiasm acts of moral courage and institution. For, as he said: “We for a Church confident in her selfless commitment to change, are now faced with the fact that mission, and his commitment to justice, and humanity. Both our tomorrow is today. We are equip and release others in Archbishops have boldly stated confronted with the fierce ministry. I was struck by his the part we, as a church, are to urgency of now. In this ability to command attention play in creating and fostering unfolding conundrum of life through the sheer force of his the environment that will allow and history, there ‘is’ such a charismatic personality. I was us to bring to an end the thing as being too late. This is often moved by his ambition to structural and systemic no time for apathy or help the Church become less expressions of racism that complacency. This is a time for parochial. For that and more, I permeates every strata of the vigorous and positive action.” give thanks. Church of England. My prayer is that there I recall watching images of It is encouraging to hear an continues to be an aliveness his enthronement service in increasing number of senior that persists and insists York Minster, alive with drums Church leaders advocate through the violence, and dancers. It then seemed to radical change. As we heed devastation and loss, and augur a new season of hope for their call to lament and thrives against the odds. I pray the Church, and usher in the repentance, we need to insist that we may be imbued with the change I had heard so many that these calls do not ring with audacity of living that compels black, Asian and minority the hollowness of countless us to build the true, the good, ethnic Anglicans speak of. At similar calls in the past. We and the beautiful. the time, I was not an Anglican need to ensure that they do not I pray that we may again hear and the thought of becoming sound in dissonance with the the sounds of drums resonating one and serving as a priest in anguish and unrelenting with accents of hope, and join in the CofE was not even a remote protest from a host of black and the dance. prospect in my mind. Looking Archbishop Sentamu retiring, brown lives dying to be heard back, I often wonder whether We need to listen the CofE now counts exactly in the pews and pulpits of our The Rev Canon Lusa Nsenga- that moment might have to the protest that two more bishops from the churches, in the chambers of Ngoy, is BAME Mission and unleashed in me a world of global majority than we did our Synods, in the corridors of Ministry Enabler, Leicester unsuspected possibilities. For demands more over 30 years ago. Lambeth Palace, and in the Cathedral the young black man I was While it may be premature to then, he represented the kind than simple access fully appreciate and assess the of iconography that made it to the room. It legacy of his ministry within possible for me to one day the CofE, it is undeniable that imagine myself becoming a demands a seat at John Sentamu has left an priest in the Church of indelible mark on the Province England. the table and, more of York. However, the question Fifteen years on, it seems like so, it requests an remains, was he just an the drums have fallen silent and unconventional punctuation in the dance has come to an end. equal voice the history of our Church? While it is true that significant Many of his critics will argue strides have been made in that he was not able to bring recent years with the senior roles within the CofE, about the expected increase in appointments of more people of the landscape remains ethnic diversity in York BAME heritage in some of the tragically sparse. With Province during his time as

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Peterson Feital I never experienced racism until I came to Britain

I was thrilled when Prince Dave Hogan Picture: inclusion are the same. I saw about it in the form of a one-to- Harry announced his the drawing illustrated below on one scenario with your boss is engagement to Meghan social media, illustrating what hard to quantify. But what is not Markle. However, I was not diversity (here marked right is that after disclosing this prepared for the undercurrent ‘integration’) and inclusion look information through the of racism in British society that like. I think, at best, most appropriate channels, no one would soon become a tsunami, people believe that integration seemed to care. nor the torrent of racial abuse is the same as inclusion, which In common with other victims that Meghan was about to it clearly is not. of abuse I was led to believe endure. This narrative that “Britain that it was my fault, and that it And over the last week or two will be overrun by migrants” was a personality issue, which this undercurrent of racism has who are “ready to steal jobs, to this day I believe was unfair exploded across the world drain the system, and stretch and biased. The structure and following the death of George the waiting time for doctor’s safeguarding for people like me Floyd and the reaction of the appointments” needs to need to change because by not American President to it. challenged. The truth looks having someone to report to This weekend campaigners very different. A simple search and to dialogue with just caused tore down a statue in Bristol on the Global Citizen website me even more pain. that was erected to remember gives some facts on In a pastoral and theological Edward Colston, a prominent immigration and migrants. We sense, the Bible is very clear 17th Century slave trader, who each have different stories, what the treatment of the has been a source of journey and scars. It isn’t true “foreigner” is to be like. I could controversy in the city for many to say that every foreigner is not put this in better words than years. A Bristol MP had called draining UK’s resources. It the Associate Professor Jarvis J for the statue’s removal as early would seem that individuals, Williams, who asserts in as 2018. Then, Thangam studies in this field was anonymous faces in the crowd organisations and institutions an article written for Christian Debbonaire, the Labour MP for conducted by the European and so more needs to be done – need to learn how to listen Today entitled “Jesus, Deliver Bristol West, said the city Research Centre on Migration, we need to start calling out on without bias. Us from this Racist Evil “should not be honouring and is entitled “Ethnic racism ourselves, in our own I, for example, failed to listen Age” that: ‘We believe in a people who benefited from Relations, ‘Racism and Cultural communities and workplaces. to the , Rose Saviour who redeems, a Spirit slavery”. Diversity in the Mass Media”. The truth is that we Hudson–Wilkin, to whom I owe who reconciles, and a gospel Perhaps things are changing, The research investigated how foreigners are easily treated as an apology. In 2016, Rose went that is the antithesis of white even here in the UK, because in narratives regarding race were a commodity. on record in an interview for supremacy.” recent years the anti-immigrant presented, and then measured It feels as though we are a the BBC reporting institutional The article articulates that in rhetoric of Brexit has not the rise in levels of racism visible ‘good thing’ when racism in the Church of Christ, every human has helped any immigrant to feel instigated afterwards in the institutions choose to display England; I refuted that on value, everyone is called to safe – even if you are a royal. public and in large institutions. our faces for the purpose of twitter saying that I did not belong, and racism must be Indeed, many of us from In Britain, it looked particularly displaying ‘diversity’. But, this agree. I am ashamed of myself fought against. different ethnic and religious at how institutions deal mostly is the issue: “diversity” only for doing this. I now realise I The power to fight racism lies backgrounds are now feeling a negatively with race and fail in means “one can have a seat at was in denial because I had in the Christian community tangible and palpable fear. securing inclusion. the table”, whereas “belonging,” never experienced racism until being able to model and shape Whilst this sense of not Last October Steven means “one who has a voice I moved to Britain. It took me acceptance and inclusion. belonging in the UK is not new, Spielberg released a that is listened to and time to realise that what I was Christ’s example is clear; Jesus especially for BAME documentary, Why we hate in respected”. Belonging means experiencing was in fact never placed institutions above individuals, it now seems that which he explores with being allowed to be who we are institutional racism. people. He confronted and the issue of racism can no scientists, sociologists and individually and being I did not want to believe that challenged religious structures longer be avoided. However, historians how the media respected with our differences. the country that gave William that didn’t offer a place for what is terrifying is that the creates destructive narratives I have come to realise that Wilberforce to the world, people to belong, regardless of media is reinforcing behaviour that feed on people’s fear of ‘the people think that diversity and whose faith was the catalyst to their race. Therefore, this must and language that is other’, leading to devastating set many slaves free, had be our measurement. unfortunately prevalent in consequences. It raised for me forgotten his legacy. We must be a Church that society at large. It is the question: “who holds the So, what are the media and operates like a family who normalising racist bullying media accountable?” and led me the Church institutions doing welcomes, blesses and supports against individuals and to conclude that institutional about such instances of racism? its members; which does not communities throughout the and public racism has not been For the Church of England’s accept racism; and who calls out UK and is affecting our view of challenged nearly enough. part, when I spoke to senior those who perpetrate it, “the other”. Unfortunately, not all of us leaders and managers I was told providing a safe place for all to Since the 1970s, sociologists, have the letter of solidarity that to just “keep my head down”, belong. media psychologists and other Meghan had from 72 female and reminded that I did not researchers have been looking MPs supporting her in her want to get on the “wrong side The Rev Peterson Feital is at ways of measuring the impact suing of British tabloids for of those who would ultimately Missioner to the Creative of the media opinion on public their misleading news and write a report that would impact Industries and Chief Executive – attitudes, especially with colonial undertone. This my future”. The Haven + London regards to race. One of the support for her is reassuring for I appreciate that to report http://thehavenlondon.com most influential research us, but most of us are just racism when you are talking facebook.com/thehavenlondon/ 12 Friday 12 June, 2020 FEATURE

A culture war we don’t need or want We are importing a US-style Windrush generation was culture war into Britain where it explicitly made to feel is neither needed nor wanted. unwelcome in the Church of And the storm of controversy England. And back then it over the George Floyd killing is would have been impossible to an example of this. It is imagine having an Archbishop welcome that there are protests who came to Britain seeking over the terrible death of asylum from the repressive rule George Floyd even thousands of Idi Amin, or a black woman of miles across the Atlantic. But as Bishop of Dover. minority backgrounds. place where women are that there is a similar revolution in the UK we must confront our But even recently senior In the space of a few years, suddenly numerous. Let us do as far as race is concerned. Let own problems of racism against clergy have faced problems in the House of Bishops became a more than just hope and pray us make it so. the backdrop of colonialism, the Church of England. In 2002, rather than the different scars an anonymous evangelical of segregation in the US. clergyman interviewed by The And in confronting our own Church of England Newspaper real problems of racism, let’s for a survey on who should be dismiss the radical the next Archbishop of troublemakers (largely white) Canterbury described Bishop who are vandalising statues, Michael Nazir-Ali as a ‘Paki- defacing monuments, and Papist’. At that time there was a attacking the police. notable campaign against It is possible to be against Bishop Nazir-Ali that was racist racism – indeed, institutional in intent. racism – and still deplore mob In 2012 after Archbishop violence on the streets. It is ’ resignation, possible to regret the vandalism one of the Bishops of a statue and simultaneously anonymously briefed a deplore the fact that journalist that John Sentamu philanthropists like Edward was the wrong person to take Colston have been honoured in over in Canterbury “… because Bristol without enough explicit he is quite tribal and the recognition being given to how African chief thing comes they benefitted from the through.” barbarity and inhumanity of the A retired bishop similarly slave trade. commented: “There is But in the week that we say something in Sentamu which farewell to the Archbishop of retains his African views and York, John Sentamu, it is worth approach, which can be at one marking the fact that the time an asset and another time Church of England’s own can be a problem.” problem with racism is now Recently, a 29-year-old black even more conspicuous than clergyman, Augustine Tanner- ever. For too long the Church Ihm, tweeted excerpts from a of England has been able to rejection email he had received deceive itself that its problems after applying for a curacy of racism were nothing to position. The email stated that worry about because it had a “the demographic of the parish black Archbishop – John is monochrome white working Sentamu one of the doughtiest class, where you might feel The dangers of the safety-first approach and most prophetic uncomfortable.” campaigners. We owe it to Archbishop It now looks unlikely that children will return to school in decent numbers until September. I But at February’s General Sentamu, to this young have been saddened by the timidity of the government, the unions and sadly so many teachers Synod, Justin Welby had to clergyman, and to the many and parents. As a primary school governor, I admire the hard and dedicated work of teachers in admit that the Church of people (especially the young) the past few months combining the new discipline of online teaching with child care England remained who are rightly impatient for responsibilities for key workers’ children. But I despair of the reluctant approach across the institutionally racist. To my racism to finally end, to bring board to welcome back as many children as possible into the classroom. memory, the Church of change to the Church of It is a matter of assessing risk sensibly. In many areas of the country there is very little England first admitted that it England. While overt racism is community transmission of the virus. Children seem to be extremely safe, and are therefore was ‘institutionally racist’ in the dying away there are no signs probably unlikely to pass the virus to teachers or parents. Sadly the overwhelming approach to wake of the Stephen Lawrence that we are paying attention to balancing risks emphasises the priority of ‘safety’ above all other factors. Inquiry with the publication of most subtle forms of prejudice. The safety-first approach to risk assessments has over the years led to fewer adventurous the ‘Seeds of Hope’ report in There must be no place for activities, and a reduction in school trips and experiences and less contact sports at a younger 1991. Since then the Committee lazy and dismissive age. This has been damaging to boys’ education because young boys struggle when they are on Minority Ethnic Anglican stereotyping. And we must be tethered to desks. Concerns has highlighted this conscious and deliberate in our And the safety-first approach discourages children from learning how to successfully manage problem roughly every five approach. We cannot just hope risks for themselves. I believe this approach to safety makes people more anxious and less able years or so. for the best. If we want to have to cope with the exigencies, emergencies and disasters that life throws at all of us. And indeed there has been a church that is the body of It is time to reject the emphasis that is placed on ‘safety’ in favour living life with the rewards of progress. One black friend has Christ we must actively reach well-taken risk. As Christians, we know that when we take up the cross, we leave ‘safety’ behind told me that he was called a out, nurture black vocations us in pursuit of an open adventure. This does not mean that we take ‘silly risks’ but we accept ‘monkey’ in theological college and then purposefully value the that everything entails a risk, and that the ‘safety first’ approach is joyless and life-limiting. in the 1950s and 1960s. The ministry of people from ethnic