Why focus on racial justice?
Racial justice is at the heart of the Working for Justice theme of the Diocesan vision to Make Jesus Known. Racial justice is the equal treatment of everyone, regardless of ethnicity or race. Genesis 1:27 speaks of humankind being created in the image of God and therefore God does not distinguish between humanity based on race, skin colour or country of birth. The Diocese of Salisbury is committed to raising awareness of racism, and seeks to build a culture of belonging where everyone can feel accepted. To work towards this aim, the Diocese appointed a Racial Justice Officer, the Reverend Katharine Robinson in spring 2026. This two-year post is funded by the Racial Justice Unit of the National Church.
Katharine’s role is to support clergy and parishes through the provision of advice, training and resources on areas of racial justice and to support diverse vocations. She is happy to talk through any area of racial justice, as well as preach at services or speak at meetings and events. Katharine can be contacted via email on katharine.robinson@salisbury.anglican.org or phone on 07388 949962.
There is further information below, including resources for churches to use.
In the 2020 report ‘From Lament to Action’, the Church of England recognised that its ‘good intentions’ towards being a church where people of diverse backgrounds could feel at home had never been properly resourced or followed through in terms of policies or practical actions.
The National Church established the Racial Justice Unit to resource this area at all levels of the Church – within parishes, schools, deaneries, dioceses, cathedrals and Theological Education Institutions.
Fundamentally, the unit exists to try to help churches in England think through and implement an approach to ‘being church’ which allows everyone within our local church communities to contribute and belong, whether their family have lived in the area for generations, or for just a few weeks. More information about the Racial Justice Unit.
The Diocesan Racial Justice Working Group was formed in 2023 to progress the recommendations of the Lament to Action report and consider practical steps to encourage parishes to consider what racial justice means in their context, as well as looking at HR and the recruitment of a more diverse clergy and lay team.
This working group is chaired by Rebecca Paveley, Director of Engagement: rebecca.paveley@salisbury.anglican.org
The working group secured funding for training Bishop’s Council members and staff on racial justice, which happened in January 2025. The Diocese hosted a conference in May 2025 in partnership with Gypsy Roma Friendly Churches and the Gypsy Roma Traveller Community. A second conference building on progress will be held in Southwark Cathedral in November 2026.
Further information about the Chaplaincy to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community along with Jonathan’s contact details.
Seeing Differently: a Justice Network is a space for anyone passionate about social justice to meet with others for learning and support. It covers a range of areas of social justice and is open to anyone within the diocese.
The network meets online every other month for one hour. Additionally, there are two in-person training sessions offered each year. Previous examples have included Allyship Training for Racial Justice and an Introduction to British Sign Language Training.
Email justice@salisbury.anglican.org if you’d like to find out more or to join this supportive network.
Racial Justice Sunday takes place each year on the second Sunday of February. The next Racial Justice Sunday will be on Sunday 14th February 2027. Churches Together in Britian and Ireland have produced some helpful resources.
Black History Month takes place each October. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution those from an ethnic minority background make to your community, including your church and faith community.
Information on Black History Month
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have produced resources for churches
The Diocese of Salisbury produced a series of short videos exploring individual stories of belonging
The following resources are suggestions from Katharine Robinson, the Diocesan Racial Justice Officer. Please do contact Katharine (katharine.robinson@salisbury.anglican.org) if you would like further information.
Al Barrett and Ruth Harley, Being Interrupted: Reimagining the Church’s Mission from the Outside, In, SCM Press, 2020.
A.D.A France-Williams, Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England, SCM Press, 2020.
Ben Lindsay, We Need To Talk About Race: Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches, SPCK, 2019. Also, see accompanying study guide.
Chine McDonald, God Is Not a White Man: And Other Revelations, Hodder & Stoughton, 2021.
Sharon Prentis, Every Tribe: Stories of Diverse Saints Serving a Diverse World, SPCK, 2019.
Stephanie Spellers, Radical Welcome: Embracing Transformation in the Church, Church Publishing, 2006.
Resources for specific areas
Project Spire is the Church Commissioners’ proposal to invest £100m in a programme of impact investment, research and engagement to work towards ‘a better and fairer future for all, particularly for communities affected by African chattel enslavement’.
This proposal has raised questions from individuals and churches. The Church Commissioners has produced an FAQs.
Additionally, BBC Sounds produced an episode called ‘Sins of the past: Should the Church of England pay for its links to slavery?’ This is about 30 minutes long and offers a thorough examination of Project Spire. You can listen to it on BBC Sounds.
There has been an increase in the profile of Christian Nationalism in recent months. The resources below are a helpful starting point in thinking about this area. Theos has an article about Christian Nationalism.
Churches Together in England has put together a resource: Kingdom over Nation.