Southwark Diocesan Synod has unanimously approved a Diocesan Anti-Racism Charter (ARC).
The vote to approve the Charter came at the end of a discussion on the motion that “this Synod wholeheartedly endorses the Diocese of Southwark Anti-Racism Charter and its adoption throughout the Diocese” led by The Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Archdeacon of Croydon and Diocesan Lead on Anti-Racism.
Since the 2000 report into institutional racism within the structures of the Diocese of Southwark, there has been clear progress monitored by the Diocesan Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committee which the Bishop of Southwark chairs.
In reaction to the vote, Archdeacon Rosemarie Mallett said: “We now want the Charter to take forward our programme for future action. This action must be taken at all levels, working in partnership with our parishes, our schools, our young people, our Cathedral, and our Area and Diocesan Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committees, to ensure that racism in any form is rooted out and diversity is truly our strength. This document should be our legacy to the next generation whom we want to attend and to lead in our churches and in the Diocese.”
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, welcomed the vote. He said: “Our rich ethnic diversity in this Diocese is God’s gift and blessing which we celebrate. I am greatly encouraged that the Diocesan Synod voted unanimously to endorse the Anti-Racism Charter which we are committed to implementing fully. There is no place for racist attitudes and behaviours in this Diocese. The Charter will guide us as we journey forwards in faith, hope and love for the people of South London and East Surrey.”
The Charter is active and intentional. It says: “being anti-racist is not the same as simply not being racist. It is not enough as a Diocese not to be racist; instead we must actively counter, disrupt and oppose racial injustice. This isn’t an easy task, it takes introspection, as well as continued intentional action and is not a static description of ourselves.”
The key principles of Southwark’s Anti-Racism Charter are:
- an explicit theological understanding that God’s kingdom is multi-ethnic, and that it is through our baptismal covenant that we recognise and respect the dignity of every human being and our unity in Christ
- an intentional focus in our theological studies, liturgy, teaching, prayer, word and work to take strategic and practical actions to combat racism and inequality
- a clear strategy for increasing and sustaining diversity in our governance structures at Diocesan and parish level so as to ensure representation and participation of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds at all levels of our organisation.
As well as its three key principles, the ARC includes six Diocesan commitments and a 12-point action plan for leadership and development.
Read the full Diocese of Southwark Anti-Racism Charter.
