Today, on the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell joined Dean Rogers Govender and members of the Church of England's Racial Justice Unit for a service at Manchester Cathedral.
This Sung Eucharist was dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing issue of racism, reflecting on the Church's role in addressing racial injustice, and recommitting to actions that promote equality for all of God's people.
In his sermon, Archbishop Stephen described how our faith calls us to live in harmony and embrace all people, as we see God’s image reflected in every person. Archbishop Stephen said,
“And the rightness, the loving of justice, for which we hunger, is the rightness which does not judge people by the colour of their skin or their ethnic and national background but values each person because they are a child of God and made in the image of God, all of us with our rich diversity.”
He gave thanks for those who have spoken out against racism encouraging those present to do the same,
“Blessed are those people, like Martin Luther King and Lord Boateng and Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Ghandi, and Stormzy Geroge Floyd and Jemima Prasadam, and Rogers Govender, Dean of Manchester, and so many others who have cried out against the injustices of racism in our church and in our world."
The lessons were read by (from left) Canon Dr. Addy Lazz-Onyenobi, Lay Chair of Manchester South and Stretford Deanery and the Revd Brunel James, Project and Secretariat Manager at the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit. The Prayers of Intercession were led by Canon David Onabanjo, Diocesan Intercultural Mission Enabler.
Speaking ahead of the service, Archbishop Stephen said,
"As we gather to mark Racial Justice Sunday, I thank God for the opportunity it gives us to journey closer to the heart of the gospel. What God has done in Jesus Christ, through his dying and rising, has formed us into a new humanity. In Christ, all the old barriers are broken down, and we now find ourselves with new perspectives and new relationships with each other. We should collectively aspire to be part of a Church which includes every tribe, every language, every nation, and which could truly offer hope and joy to our world."
Dean Rogers Govender added,
“Racial Justice Sunday is being celebrated throughout the Church of England and we are delighted to be joined by the Archbishop of York at Manchester Cathedral as we mark this important day. The Church of England is making slow but steady progress on greater equality, and the presence of Archbishop Stephen at this service reflects the commitment that he and the national church have in promoting greater inclusion and racial justice within the church.”
The Revd Phil Cansdale, Director of Mission and Ministry in the diocese said,
“I'm really pleased that we can join in with Racial Justice Sunday this year. Now in its 30th year this is such an important opportunity for churches to be living out our commitment to be a welcoming 'spiritual home' for everyone across our local communities.
“Of course, this is so much more than just a Sunday. It's a beautiful call for the people of God to more fully reflect the kingdom of God, where every nation, tribe, people and language are brought together in amazing diversity. In my first few weeks working in the Diocese it's been a huge encouragement to see our commitment to this, where values of hospitality, welcome and generosity are at the heart of our intercultural mission.
“And yet there's so much more work to be done, both in a world where many still struggle for racial justice and a church where we still have much to learn. I do commend David Onabanjo's work as Intercultural Mission Enabler, celebrating and welcoming the wide ethnic and cultural make-up of people living across Greater Manchester, as well as the Shades project which continues its outstanding work promoting racial justice amongst school aged children.”
Canon David Onabanjo, Intercultural Mission Enabler for our diocese said,
"It’s 30 years that Racial Justice Sunday was inaugurated, and we give glory to God for giving us that awareness and discernment that His creation was made perfect and diverse with the union of peoples on earth together.
"We must not however forget that the Racial Justice Sunday came into being 30 years ago because of the tragic racist murder that cut short the young life of Stephen Lawrence. As someone from the Global Majority Heritage, I have seen some improvement in race relationships. However, sadly too much racial injustices and hatred still exist in our society.
"The Good News of Christ that we continually proclaim in our churches and communities should be as intended, to reflect our diversity - that we are one from every nation, tribe, people, and language that must unite and thrive together. We are blessed in the Diocese of Manchester for the Intercultural Missional work that is enabling and promoting global cultural awareness in the parishes, where we work towards making all cultures of the church form ‘The Culture’ of the church. Therefore the 30th year of Racial Justice Sunday is a year to reflect and review to make things better for all, especially for those from the ethnic minority backgrounds."
Dean Rogers Govender spoke to Simone Riley on BBC Radio Manchester Listen back here from 1:38:30
Canon David Onabanjo then spoke to Simone about his Intercultural Kingdom Podcast, welcoming people from a range of cultural heritages and finding your gifts. Listen back here from 2:41:00 2:50:30
Listen to the podcast here Listen to Intercultural Kingdom
