 |
| |
|
|
||
|
|
Review of Inclusive Ministry
Report Downloads
Summary of the Report The 2000 Report During 1999/2000 the Commission for Racial Equality led an independent inquiry into institutional racism within the structures of the Diocese of Southwark and delivered its findings. That report called for action in parishes, deaneries, councils, synods and diocesan schools to make diocesan structures and ministries more representative of black and minority ethnic members worshiping in the diocese and on our church electoral rolls. Among its recommendations the 2000 Report called for
The 2005 follow-up A follow-up report has now been prepared by an independent panel which consisted of Mr Simon Bell, Advisor to the Archbishops' Council’s Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns; Revd Charles Lawrence, Parish Priest and Chairman of the Association of Black Clergy and Revd Arlington Trotman, Secretary to the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice. Arlington Trotman was Chairman of the Review Panel. The Panel was asked to evaluate the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in the Bishop’s Inquiry Report on Institutional Racism; and to submit a report to the Bishop of Southwark. The Panel interviewed Diocesan officers, met with Diocesan Councils, Boards and Committees, as well as visited a number of churches in each of the Episcopal Areas and six Diocesan schools. The Panel sent a questionnaire to the 107 church schools, of which 57 returned the questionnaires completed. What the Panel found The Panel observed that the leadership of the Diocesan Bishop had been crucial in getting the diocese to pro-actively address Institutional Racism and this had meant that the Diocese of Southwark had taken a national lead in dealing strategically with Institutional Racism within the Church of England. The Panel commended the Diocese for the progress that had been made and its willingness to identify areas where further progress could be made. The Panel noted that it was admirable to assume the responsibility to raise awareness and harness and release the gifts and potential of black and minority ethnic people. The Review Panel was impressed with the way in which the Diocesan Board of Education had responded to the recommendations found in the Bishop’s Inquiry Report on Institutional Racism. The Panel however hoped that the Board would be able to gain access to more accurate information on the ethnic make up of staff and pupils in their schools. The Panel noted its concern that there was some difficulty in recruiting black and minority ethnic teachers and that this was compounded in London where housing access was a key issue when trying to attract teachers. However during its visit to schools the Panel found that some head teachers had successfully explored various routes in order to encourage and develop black and minority teachers. The Panel recommended that head teachers and governing bodies should actively explore routes by which they would be able to do the same. It was recognised that youth ministry in the Diocese had a new energy that was relational rather than product base. It was noted that there was a shortage of youth workers particularly from the black and minority ethnic community. It was felt that there was a need to explore how young black people could begin to make a difference in the Church in a Euro-ethnic culture. This was also true for children’s ministry. The Panel found that there were few black
incumbents in some areas and believed that there was the need for training
clergy who might have had some experience in Churches in other parts of
the Anglican Communion, so that they were better able to understand the
complexities of the Church of England and thus enabled to successfully
apply for incumbencies. The Panel also noted that there were few black and
minority clergy in senior position in the Diocese and recommended that
suitably qualified and experienced black and minority ethnic clergy should
be appointed to the office of Bishop, Archdeacon and Cathedral Canon with
all deliberate speed. The Review Panel considered how the Diocese was addressing the lack of black and minority ethnic candidates for the ordained and accredited ministries and noted the targeted approach, through road shows, to churches where there were considerable numbers of people from the black and minority ethnic community in the congregation. This represented a positive source of engagement. There was, however, some concern that there were not many younger black British born people coming forward for the stipendiary ministry. The Panel was aware that parish priests are vital for encouraging vocations to the ministry and recommended that they should become more proactive in identifying and encouraging vocations from younger black and minority ethnic members. The Panel felt that Black and Asian theology needed to be provided for ordinands during their theological training. This was not always provided at colleges and therefore it was recommended that the Canon Theologian should provide some courses in this area for the newly ordained. The Panel recognised that MEACC had provided race awareness training and recommended that such training should be made compulsory for all newly appointed clergy, incumbents and other senior appointments. The church is a place where the giftings of all its members should be shared. This had not been evident in the worship, and the Panel recommended work to develop more culturally sensitive liturgy. The Panel observed that while some structures had demonstrated good progress and while awareness of the original report was generally known to all with whom the Panel had worked, there was still more work to be done. There was a need for more minority ethnic representation on Boards, Committees, among the Archdeaconry Vocations Advisors, at Vocations Guidance Units and in general employment in the administrative structures. The perceived culture of the Church as male, white and middle class, from a black and minority ethnic perceptive, disadvantageously affected black and minority ethnic Anglicans. Some questions for the PCC to consider:
| |
|
© Diocese of
Southwark |
||
