racial justice
Hatcham, Woolwich Area Racial Justice Chair
Justice (Windrush Legacy and Commitment, Feb 2018 – passed unanimously by Synod and covered positively in the national press) – some have credited this debate with the steps which led to Lament to Action and the establishment of the Archbishops’ Racial Justice Commission, and then the new Racial
to plan for effective contributions to Synod debates, and to keep the work of Racial Justice on the agenda and well-supported
- spoken on a wide range of issues affecting our Church and world including: poverty, racial justice,
As a member of Lichfield Diocese Racial Justice and Inclusion Task group and board member of the West Midlands Regional Racial Justice Initiative, I am passionate that the gifts and talents of all UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage people might be fully recognised within the Church of England.
During this time, I have been especially passionate about supporting working-class vocations, promoting racial justice and inclusion, and advocating for the Church's discernment through Living in Love and Faith.
A real commitment to breadth & generosity across the Anglican tradition Recently ordained, rooted in multi-parish rural and coastal ministry Lived experience of neurodivergence shaping how I think about accessibility and inclusion in ministry Committed to racial justice and full inclusion at every level of church life, not just in policy but in practice
I remain committed to seeking racial justice and to valuing the contribution of all, not least those who in good conscience differ from me in ethical and theological ways.
That history has shaped my commitment to racial justice and my conviction that belonging must mean more than being welcomed through the door: people of every ethnicity and background should be able to participate, contribute, lead and flourish.
For me, racial justice is not simply an equality agenda: it is part of what it means to be the Body of Christ.
My ministry has also included children’s and young people's groups, Alpha courses, parish prayer and governance, Unconscious Bias training for PCC members and involvement with the Chester Diocesan Racial Justice Unit.
RACIAL JUSTICE, DIVERSITY & BELONGING encounter Christ and grow as disciples.
The Church faces significant missional, theological and organisational challenges: declining participation and engagement with younger generations; safeguarding and rebuilding trust: racial justice; changing patterns of ministry and stewardship of resources.
If elected, I would bring leadership and governance experience, strategic thinking, professional HR expertise, commitment to racial justice and safeguarding, more than a decade of licensed lay ministry, independence of thought and a willingness to engage constructively with difficult issues.
Work on racial justice is part of the gospel, and I support the ongoing projects at national and local levels.
Inclusion, Racial Justice and Sexuality
General Synod must strengthen the church’s commitment to racial justice by hearing the voices of minorities and the excluded, and holding power and privilege open to scrutiny.
Ordained in 2008, I have been the lead Canon for mission and discipleship at Winchester Cathedral for 5 years, and I am a founder member of the Racial Justice Strategy Group and a member of Diocesan Synod.
On Synod I have been a key player for greater inclusion for LGBT+ people, fairer gender representation, action on racial justice and better accessibility for disabled and neurodivergent people.
As such I hold a particular commitment to Racial Justice, knowing that we are all made equal in the image of God.
Instead, the Church Commissioners is distributing hundreds of millions from its £11.6 billion endowment towards time-limited grants – funding an army of staff at diocesan level to implement ideologically-driven policies on net zero and racial justice – as well as more staff to help complete more grant applications.
There are more than 15 issues of concern that will dominate Synod during the next 5 years, s u c h a s Church-State Relations, Suffragan Bishop numbers with Diocese mergers, See Houses, Stronger Safeguarding, Supporting the Parish System (STP) with direct grants to the Parishes, Clergy Discipline Commission, Racial Justice, Living in Love and Faith – which I cannot support, Dispossessions on Pastoral Review grounds, Rural Issues, Being Church and Vocations, Church Planting and Growth, (I used to be a Church Army Director), Mission Action Plans and Evangelism building on my experience as a Director of St Martha’s College, Strategic Development Funding, including giving more to Cathedrals and giving evidence to the Mission and Pastoral Measure to retain its independent Appellate Role.
Chattel Slavery, Racial Justice, Refugees, modern slavery,
I back the ongoing work of the Archbishops' Racial Justice Commission.
Commitments to racial justice and wider inclusion must also become reality in formation, appointments, funding and access.
I want to make sure that reality is properly understood and represented — alongside the wider issues that matter to me in the life of the Church: I am committed to equality for everyone, at every level and in every role in the church, regardless of disability, economic circumstance, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality — including full inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people in the life, ministry and relationships of the church Equal opportunity for women at every level of the church, including the episcopate, drawing on my own years leading Shell’s UK Women’s Network Supporting the pastoral and practical needs of expatriate and international congregations — especially isolated and vulnerable members Racial justice and genuine diversity in church leadership Bringing rigour and discipline to how the Church manages change, safety and resources — without losing sight of its mission My Grandfather spent his scholarly life showing how the parables of Jesus keep reaching past the people already inside the door, that Jesus's ministry deliberately reached past religious insiders to outsiders and the excluded.
I also support the aims of the Spire Project, which enables us to face up to the evils of our past and will work with communities to address issues of racial justice.
During that time, I have served two terms as church warden; have been a member of the PCC and Deanery Synod; and am a founding member of the Racial Justice Group.
While we have made some progress in recent years, I know we still have a lot more work to do, especially in the areas of LGBTQI+ rights and racial justice.
Douglas brings experience not only of Synod itself, but also from having recently led the West Midlands racial Justice board and as Area Dean of Handsworth and Central.
I strongly recommend Douglas for your first choice’” I currently serve on the Racial Justice Unit ( RJU) National Racial Justice Board and am also a member of the Grants / Funding Subcommittee of the Racial Justice Board.
Recently stepped down as the Co-Director of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative ( WMRJI) serving as Co- director co-ordinating racial justice activities and initiatives across 6 dioceses in the West Midlands region namely , Coventry, Hereford , Lichfield, Worcester , Gloucester and Birmingham.
Championing Racial Justice, Equality and Inclusiveness in General’s Synod and the Church as a whole.
The ‘racial justice’ programmes, which turn out to be the opposite, must also be dissolved.
I will continue to advocate for racial justice, those with disabilities or neurodivergence, and support women’s ministry at every level within the Church of England.
• Racial Justice Network
As Bishop of Dorking, I have held portfolios for children and young people, vocations, the environment, racial justice, as well as being Warden of Readers.
I have always been deeply committed to ministry with children and young people, ecumenical and cross-cultural ministry, and racial justice.
In my present role, my ongoing engagement in interfaith and intercultural mission, equity, diversity and inclusion, racial justice, children and young people’s ministry, and witness among communities on the margins would enrich my contribution to the life of the Church.
Racial justice and representation: working for a Church in which Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic voices are valued, heard, and able to flourish in leadership.
On Synod I have supported greater inclu- sion across a range of areas, including work- ing-class vocations, neurodiversity and racial justice.
I am an ex-officio member of the PCC and am also a member of two Diocesan committees, Racial Justice, and the Environmental group.
Diocesan Racial Justice Forum
My commitment to racial justice is evidenced by my time as Co-Chair of the Diocesan Racial Justice Forum where I helped to establish the Forum’s Terms of Reference, Charter and Action Plan, creating a clearer strategic direction for racial justice across the Diocese.
Racial Justice:
e Co-chair for 6 years of the Diocesan Racial Justice Forum, during which time I brought clarity about the role and purpose of the Forum
e Safeguarding advisor to the West Midlands Regional Racial Justice Initiative
e Lay member of the Church of England Liturgical Commission and contributed to prayers for victims of abuse and racial justice
• I spoke at debates on the topics of gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial justice, and
In my role at Queen’s, I am also part of a three-year project around anti-racism in theological education, funded by the Racial Justice Unit.
My contributions span racial justice leadership, doctrinal engagement, and active accountability to local parishes, in the following ways: Racial Justice & CMEAC Leadership: I was elected as a House of Laity representative to the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC), advocating for UKME/GMH representation, leadership pathways, and full inclusion across all levels of church governance.
so I will also support efforts to reduce the epidemic of loneliness, social isolation and existential distress prevalent in so many of our young people and congregations, help parishes to meet their environmental objectives whilst fully recognising the unique challenges they face with their historic buildings, and would also, I hope, contribute to important debates on social and biomedical ethics including those around poverty and exclusion, racial justice, Al, assisted dying, genetic modification, gender identity, spiritual abuse and climate change amongst so many others, so please do consider voting for me.
Alongside parish ministry, I have contributed to the wider life of the Diocese through supporting women in ministry, racial justice and vocational formation.
Representation and racial justice.
I would bring parish experience, a commitment to clergy wellbeing and racial justice, professional knowledge of occupational health and governance, and a Global Majority Heritage perspective.
I have contributed regularly to Synod debates, speaking on a wide range of issues including poverty, clergy pensions, safeguarding, vocation, racial justice, chaplaincy, funeral poverty, clergy discipline and public policy.
Anglican Concerns (CMEAC), prior to the establishment of the Racial Justice Unit.
the continuing work needed around racial justice, gender equality, disability and neurodiversity.
An inclusive Church I want the next Synod’s work on Relationships, Sexuality and Gender to move forward with courage and clarity, alongside sustained commitment to racial justice, disability inclusion and socio- economic equality.
Representation, Inclusion and Racial Justice I am committed to a Church whose common life reflects the breadth of the Body of Christ.
I want to contribute constructively to the Church’s continuing work on racial justice, inclusion and accessibility, including addressing barriers experienced by disabled people, so that our structures and culture increasingly reflect our Christian commitment to dignity, justice and mutual responsibility.
Racial Justice Education Adviser
involves creating and delivering training as well as promoting and advocating for racial justice across the diocese.
Being the diocesan Racial Justice Education Adviser is not only the best job I have ever had but it is also the most challenging.
Much of what I read and learn informs my parish ministry and my work as the Racial Justice Education Adviser.
Among the continuing work of General Synod, I am particularly interested in inclusion and racial justice; clergy care and wellbeing; sustainable ministry and funding; safeguarding and healthy governance; church buildings and mission; ecumenism; and children and young people.
I am committed to racial justice, intersectional equity and inclusion, and I resist the discrimination against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, sexuality, and age.
On General Synod, I’ve promoted LGBT+ equality, racial justice, safeguarding and the environment, as well as the role of AI.
We set up a Racial Justice Board but progress has been ‘glacial’ (to quote from one of their reports) and funding has been reduced for the next phase of work.
Racial justice needs to be a key priority for the next agenda of the Synod.
I've spent years supporting faith development, leading children's ministries and hosting racial justice conversations — and I'm ready to bring that same energy, organisation and heart to General Synod.
● Volunteer working with children and vulnerable adults at St Catherine's Church, Coventry, since April 2022 — leading children's engagement programmes under full safeguarding compliance (DBS certified). ● Lead Bible study for adults, children and young people's Sunday services, and co-lead the evening Theological Reflection Group (in-person and via Zoom). ● Coordinator of the Parish Church Council & Theological Reflection Group, and speaker at Deanery Synod advocating for faith-based initiatives. ● Hosted Racial Justice Sunday, leading discussions on racial justice within theological reflection at the church. ● Support Messy Church, Outreach and Hot Chocolate afternoon events, helping foster connections within the community. ● Previously served as Children's Teacher and church committee member (sanctuary keeper, Treasury & Audit Committee, Choir) at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Ibadan, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2021.
I believe that we have fallen short as a Church of our calling to racial justice.
I came to General Synod with a particular concern about racial justice and inclusion, informed both by my personal experience of discrimination within my own profession and professional experience as a barrister specialising predominantly in discrimination law.
Member of special Task Group set up to report on the future of Racial Justice Governance
Appointed to newly formed Racial Justice Board
One particular achievement of which I am proud is suggesting in a speech that the Church should appoint a Lead Bishop for Racial Justice in the same way that it appoints Lead Bishops for key areas of concern.
I am delighted that my proposal has since been acted upon by the appointment in March 2025 of two joint Lead Bishops for Racial Justice.
The roles I have been privileged to be appointed to have enabled me to contribute not only through General Synod itself but directly to the very bodies working to address racial justice across the whole Church and the need to confront racism within its own structures and culture.
Racial Justice: At St Paul’s, I have worked hard to increase our racial diversity.
Working with GMH colleagues on Synod to write and move an amendment to the Triennium Funding Plans for 2027-2029 to restore the Racial Justice budget to an appropriate level.
I am currently working with the Diocesan Racial Justice Co-ordinator on a variety of projects and I represent Chichester on the South Eastern Dioceses Social Action/Social Justice Network.
At a time of increasing division and conflict in the world, the church must proclaim the gospel of justice, peace and reconciliation, amplifying the voice of the marginalised and oppressed. ● Racial Justice: In a world which is increasingly socially fragmented and polarised, the gospel is clear that the church’s calling is to model loving our neighbour as ourself, whoever that neighbour may be.
Racial Justice
It has been a privilege to represent the Diocese of Chelmsford on General Synod for the last five years and to have seen real progress in areas such as safeguarding, racial justice, working class ministry, clergy wellbeing and recognising the place of neurodivergent people within the church.
In 2025, I became the first non-white Chair for Racial Justice for our diocese and have continue to work as Chair.
Racial Justice: err… yes please!
During that time I have contributed to a number of discussion at the House on issues of finance and funding, racial justice, safeguarding, trust and accountability amongst other discussions.
• I continue to serve as the co-lead bishop on Racial Justice and also as co-deputy
chair of the Racial Justice Board working alongside the Bishop of Croydon in seeking to discern a right response for the issues of racial justice both within the church and within our country.
Nominated by Becky Waring (Archdeacon of Bristol) and Simon Taylor (Director of Ministry) As your representative I have given speeches in General Synod on subjects including net zero, creation care, racial justice, contested heritage, and LLF, and have asked questions on subjects ranging from church buildings to ND inclusion, from gluten free communion bread to retirement housing, and more.
Ministering in a historic church on Bristol harbour has heightened my sense of responsibility to advocate for racial justice in this generation as we deal with the legacy of the generations who have gone before us.
Racial Justice/ Project Spire
Diocesan Racial Justice
This year I have also served nationally as Chair of the Church of England’s Racial Justice Board.
Racial Justice
Racial Justice: At SJtL we are an ethnically rich congregation in an ethnically diverse context enabling me to contribute effectively to key debates around ‘From Lament to Action’ looking at the church’s failures among our UKME and GMH sisters and brothers.
Is committed to Racial Justice.
I have supported the work of Revd Anesia Cook (Racial Justice Officer) and am aware that as a Church we still have a long way to travel from ‘Lament to Action’.
His experience makes him a e Member of Bishop’s Council (Current) strong advocate for racial justice, e Trustee, Diocesan Board of Education (Current) safeguarding and inclusivity. e Member of Chester Diocesan Synod (Current) e Founding Chair of MAT, Chester Diocesan Learning Trust (2024 to 2025) and As DBF Chair, he understands Member (Current) Chester's needs and will ensure our e Trustee of Theological College, The Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical voice is heard.
love of Jesus will motivate his service e Board Member, Church of England National Racial Justice Board (Since
RACIAL JUSTICE IMPLEMENTATION
General Synod co-opted me to support leaders in tackling the issue of Racial Justice in the Church and implement the recommendations in “From Lament to Action” (2021).
My lived experience means that I have spent a lifetime tackling racial justice issues in society as well as the church.
My doctoral degree at Keele University focuses on research into Racial Justice in schools.
Currently, I provide consultancy support to schools on Racial Justice.
As a result, General Synod asked me to serve on the National Racial Justice Board so that this work is overseen in a practical way.
[email protected] e@ Continue to support the Church to address Racial Justice in practical ways
am supporting Dr Janette Allotey as well as proposing Fiona Bruce (former MP for Congleton) and Julie Okundaye (former Chair of the Chester Racial Justice).
I also volunteer as a member of the Diocese of York Racial Justice and Intercultural Ministry Task Group and as an elected member of the York Archbishop’s Council.
Race, diversity and intercultural church I am proud of my heritage — a white-English mother, a Sri Lankan father — which shapes how I see racial justice and our increasingly multicultural society.
Racial Justice
Former Director of Mission & Racial Justice
My ministry spans a diverse London parish, schools and young people, the Anglican Igbo Church I founded, diocesan racial-justice work and national service as a Church Commissioner.
I have helped shape the Clergy Conduct Measure and Mission and Pastoral Measure, and contributed to debates on safeguarding, mission, racial justice and parish life.
4 RACIAL JUSTICE THAT CHANGES CULTURE
As a GMH priest and former Director of Mission and Racial Justice, I bring lived experience alongside a record of bridge-building and practical delivery.
In all a total of 161 recommendations of racial justice over the decades!
Environmental and Racial Justice committees
Within the diocese, I sit on the Vacancy in See Committee, the Racial justice and Inclusion Task Group and the Feeding our Faith Board.
I want to see greater representation of women in important selection processes; serious commitment to racial justice; better inclusion of disabled and neurodiverse people; and genuine opportunities for people from working-class backgrounds to enter both lay and ordained ministry.
Racial justice and discrimination — I am committed to anti-racism.
I have learned a lot about hearing other perspectives from my time on our Diocese’ Racial Justice Committee and I want to encourage Synod to do that in the most faithful and Christ-like way we can.
I've asked 30 questions on matters from safeguarding to racial justice, finance, governance and ministry. I've offered 14 speeches in debates on: assisted suicide, codes of conduct for lay officers, disability, funding priorities, governance, LLF, national care service, neurodiversity, poverty, racial justice, representation, safeguarding, and the value of work. I was elected by Synod to the Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf & Disabled People (CMDDP), a sub-group of the Archbishops' Council.
We need to fully resource the work of racial justice and support parishes in poorer communities. Jesus's life, example and teaching call us to the edge.
Alongside this, I have served my local church and wider community in Bristol through teaching, ministry, speaking and prison ministry, including work in racial justice and reconciliation.
My work in racial justice, Black theology and cultural imagination has brought me into conversations about theology, race and lived experience, speaking and teaching within and beyond the Church.
As project lead, I helped bring together GMH clergy to produce One Body, Walking Together, a racial justice Bible study for Church of England parishes.
Diocesan Racial Justice
I believe we need to be active partners in addressing issues that affect the wider community, including domestic and global poverty, the impact of climate change, and the importance of racial justice.
Members will also bring different convictions to difficult questions facing the Church, including mission, sexuality and relationships, safeguarding reform, clergy deployment, parish finance, racial justice, environmental responsibility, assisted dying, science and technology, and the relationship between national structures and local autonomy.
• Racial Justice,
At times this has led to ‘tribalism’ and othering one another in a way that reflects a poor image of Christ to the world and has overshadowed other important issues such as widening economic inequality, climate change, racial justice, fostering a good safeguarding culture and lack of opportunities for young people.
I was on the diocesan Racial Justice Committee I was southern lay rep for the executive of A.M.E.N (Anglican Minority Ethnic Network) During Covid I worked for my church setting up and managing a Trussel Trust Foodbank which was based at our sister church site on the housing estate where I live.
I am clear sighted about many of our church’s failings at every level and most of my day to day work engages with these failings: finance, vacancies, safeguarding, racial justice, clergy and lay misconduct, yet still the work of Jesus continues resolutely in our congregations, great and small, and their work and voices need to be represented.
Alongside this, I am passionately committed to racial justice, actively working to ensure our leadership, governance, and parish life reflect and celebrate the full diversity of God's people.
There are some really important issues facing Synod in the next five years, these include: Continuing to respond to the climate crisis, to continue to advocate for racial justice in all that we do and have done and to continue the difficult but vital discussions around human sexuality and the gospel.
I have contributed to the Vocations Strategy Group of CMEAC, the London Diocesan Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns and the Racial Justice Priority Group.
I am an elected member of our Diocesan Synod and serve on various working groups of the diocese: Racial Justice working group, Diocesan Strategy Intercultural, Contextual and Local Language Ministry working group, Women Clergy Conference planning team, Lay Learning Course Management team.
with work on Net Zero Carbon, Racial Justice, Estates Ministry and Diocesan Finances – all of which I will support, along with submitting Questions and participating in debates.
So, I am steeped in the issues of the inner city and the Kingdom values of social, environmental & racial justice and the common good.
At Bishop’s Council, I supported the decision to appoint a Racial Justice Development Officer alongside recruiting our new diocesan safeguarding team, who are utterly brilliant!
Equality and Racial Justice – I live in an area where a lot of St George’s flags have gone up and this has concerned me.
I would like to see the church engage with more clarity on issues of racial justice and community cohesion as we have an important voice and can tell a better story.
I also serve the diocese as an Honorary Canon of Manchester Cathedral as well as being a member of various bodies such as the Diocesan Synod, Racial Justice Board, DMPC, DAC (of which I am Chair) and the Council for Social Aid.
I do want to note the Racial Justice Board involvement, because I do believe that at this moment in our nation there is still a very wide gap on this very pertinent matter.
I chair the West Midlands Racial Justice Board which provides governance oversight of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative – a collaborative endeavour promoting racial justice across six dioceses in the West Midlands.
I am also a member of the racial justice board of the Diocese of Birmingham.
Last but by no means least, we started this quinquennium with a commitment to racial justice and greater inclusion, but were bewildered to see the significant cuts to the racial justice programmes for 2026-2028.
During the last 5 years, I voted for the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith and supported measures to promote racial justice and, if re-elected, I will continue to work for a church where everyone is welcomed and included.
I’ve voted to support racial justice, and am part of the anti-racism network.
I sit on the Project Spire Board as I believe racial justice needs openness, penitence and active work towards healing and repair.
I am a member of Norwich diocese’s Racial Justice Action Group and chair of Together Norfolk.
This work has deepened my commitment to social justice and to racial justice, and to a Church that listens to people whose voices are too often overlooked.
My priorities are mission, social justice, and racial justice.
Racial Justice is also an area where the church has fallen tragically short in the past.
From 2021 to 2024 I was a member of the Archbishops’ Racial Justice Commission which gave me good insights into how the Church works nationally.
Standing for the House of Clergy of General Synod Proposer: Revd Steve Gayle, Dean of Racial Justice and Vicar of
The careful study of scripture and prayerful consideration will need to underpin all that General Synod has to consider be that Safeguarding, Racial Justice, Reparations, Climate Change or any of the many other matters that are likely to come before it in the next quinquennium.
• Member Diocesan Racial Justice Group
Racial Justice