THE Racial Justice Board of the Church of England has expressed “deep concern and disquiet” in regards to the Archbishops’ Council’s decision to cut back funding for racial-justice work from £20 million in 2023-25 to £7 million for 2026-29.
In a letter to the Church Times, the board members, who include the co-lead bishops for racial justice, the Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett, and the Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Arun Arora, say that the “lamentable” decision was taken “despite the changing social context within the country over the ten months” for the reason that Triennium Funding Working Group (TFWG) made its original decision (News, 13 June).
“During that point, now we have seen in our country rising racial tensions, arguably the worst for a long time; increasing incidents of racial violence; and the impact of the Unite the Kingdom March,” the letter says. “These funding decisions have been made despite overwhelming support from the General Synod for continuing and strengthening the Church’s commitment to racial justice as a long-term priority and the upkeep of current funding levels.”
The board’s 11 signatories indicate that the unique allocation of £20 million for racial-justice work in the course of the 2023-25 triennium “reflected the Church’s intention at the moment to treat this work as long-term and foundational quite than short-term or temporary”.
They also say that the ultimate report of the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice highlighted that many previous attempts to handle racial justice within the Church had failed “because commitments had not been followed through, funding had been inconsistent, or support had been withdrawn too early”. The current reduction in funding, the letter says, risks repeating those patterns.
“This decision will undermine the work of racial justice within the dioceses of the Church of England,” the authors write.
“We view the choices of the TFWG and the Archbishops’ Council as a backward movement shifting from motion back to lament, undermining the gains which were made, and frustrating the work of racial justice within the Church. These decisions signify a deep lack of commitment to this gospel work and miss an important mission opportunity for the Church of England at a time when it’s desperately needed in our country.”
Church House, Westminster, has been contacted for comment.
