The “unabated” architectural and institutional bigotry within the Church of England is obstructing the development of individuals of colour, according to a damning record.
The Church of England’s racial justice compensation has actually released the outcomes of a six-month research study, which evaluated church information on employing and promos, and spoke with minority ethnic clergy concerning their experiences.
The record, entitled Behind the Stained Glass, ended that though the research study did not established bent on show or refute institutional and architectural bigotry within the Church of England, the proof verified the harmful results of the presence of both.
The peer Paul Boateng, that was Britain’s very first black cupboard priest and chairs the compensation, claimed the record repainted a “stark and shaming” photo of the church’s failing to check racial differences and carry out an efficient technique to tackle them.
“Rather than pay lip service to Black History Month, those exercising power and influence within the Church of England might make history by ending repeated failures to remedy the glaringly obvious defects in their practices which have held up over so many years the advancement of black people and other peoples of colour within their own ranks,” Lord Boateng claimed.
The record, which was executed by the Institute for Educational & & Social Equity, criticised the absence of readily available information on the demographics of the clergy at both nationwide and diocesan degrees.
Boateng included: “What more does this institution need before it comes into line with what is now accepted practice in HR and data collection in both the private and the public sectors?”
Of the minimal information that was readily available, the record discovered that while black individuals made up 15% of applications to clergy blog posts in between January to April 2024, they comprised 29% of those denied or withdrew their application. In comparison white clergy made up 75% of applications, yet were just 63% of denials and withdrawals.
The record ended that candidates of colour did not have “the cultural capital” that was required to assist them proceed in their professions in the Church of England, with “class and cultural dynamics” discovered to be a certain barrier to development.
“The church often values how one can confirm ‘English culture’, including speech, mannerisms, UK qualifications and backgrounds over diverse experiences and routes into the ministry,” the record kept in mind.
As well as occurrences of subconscious prejudice, clergy of minority ethnic histories reported “overt racism, including discriminatory comments and actions from congregations, dioceses and from the structures of the national church”.
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The theologian and broadcaster Robert Beckford complimented the racial justice compensation for the study. “If the truth be told, similar patterns of discrimination exist within all of the major white-majority Christian churches in Britain. Some of the report’s recommendations are helpful.”
Still, Beckford required an extra enthusiastic and assertive method for presenting varied educational programs in training and visits. “The need for this change is compelling, as to date, only three people of African and African Caribbean heritage teach theology in the British university system.”
An agent for Lambeth Palace and Bishopthorpe Palace claimed they invited the record. They included: “The archbishops of Canterbury and York are committed to promoting racial justice within the church, so it is sobering to read that there are still structural and racist barriers to UKME/GMH [UK minority ethnic/global majority heritage] clergy progressing to leadership roles. The archbishops reaffirm the work of the racial justice unit, and hope and pray the Church of England will become a place where everyone can thrive and flourish.”
