Communion Motion Background Free: A Call to Action for Racial Justice in the Church of England

Since its inception, the Church of England has grappled with numerous motions and debates related to racial justice, yet the flourishing of UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) and Global Majority Heritage (GMH) Anglicans remains elusive. To address this issue, a nine-strong Taskforce was established in autumn 2020 with a dual remit: to prepare for a longer-term Commission on Racial Justice and to review previous reports and recommendations over the past three decades.

The Taskforce's report is a scathing indictment of the Church's inaction on racial justice. Decades of neglect carry significant consequences, and it is imperative that the entire Church acknowledges its responsibility in this matter. As one member of the Taskforce puts it, 'A failure to act now will be seen as another indication, potentially a last straw for many, that the Church is not serious about racial sin.'

The report outlines 47 specific actions that different arms of the Church must implement across five priority areas: participation, governance, training, education, and young people. These changes are crucial if the Church is to live up to its mandate of being a body where all members can flourish to their full potential for the benefit of the entire Church, the nation of England, and the greater glory of God.

Without these changes, the Church risks denying and disregarding the gifts of a significant part of the nation. The Taskforce warns that failure to act could have devastating effects on the future of the Church, driving away many people of UKME or GMH backgrounds. This is a wake-up call for the Archbishops and all members of the Church of England: it is time to take action on racial justice.

Communion motion background free