Churches prepare for Racial Justice Sunday amidst debate on multiculturalism
-04/09/06
Churches prepare for Racial Justice Sunday amidst debate on multiculturalism
-04/09/06
As a debate rages in the UK over the value of multiculturalism, thousands of churches in Britain and Ireland are preparing to mark Racial Justice Sunday.
The day is organized by the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ) which is dedicated to building communities and breaking down barriers.
Through its Racial Justice Fund, CCRJ funds small anti-racism projects and many churches raise money for the Fund each year on Racial Justice Sunday.
The day this year falls on 10th September, and comes after a new debate about the benefits of multiculturalism, which encourages different communities to live separately, as opposed to integration, where immigrants are encouraged to adopt their host country’s language and customs.
Communities secretary Ruth Kelly last month raised questions about whether multiculturalism was working in Britain, or whether it was simply creating a collection of isolated groups of people who did not understand or trust each other.
Britain’s first black archbishop has been amongst those who have recently critiqued how multiculturalism works in the UK.
CCRJ Manager Andy Bruce believes it is important for churches to take up the challenge of Racial Justice Sunday. “Everyone is talking about community building,” he says. “Here’s how they can do something positive.” He wants to encourage churches to take a second look at their attitudes to racism, to pray, to celebrate diversity and to work locally for racial justice.
A resource pack is available in English and Welsh to help churches. This offers guidelines, prayers, reflections and ideas for action. Information sheets explain both the challenges of, and how churches have responded to, the issues of racial violence, education, employment, Gypsies and Travellers, and asylum and immigration.
The Revd Claudette Douglas (CCRJ Research and Development Officer) explains: “CCRJ works through the Racial Justice Fund to reach small organizations working to combat racism. This way the Fund acts as a lifeline that brings with it a network of resources and developmental support that will transform communities.”
Racial Justice Sunday is co-ordinated by the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ) working together with the Catholic Association for Racial Justice, the Methodist Racial Justice Committee, the United Reformed Church Racial Justice Office, CYT€N (Churches Together in Wales), the Scottish Churches Racial Justice Group, the Refugee Project of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and others.
CCRJ is well-known for its anti-racism work and is responsible for Asylum Principles, published this year and enabling the Churches to speak with one voice on asylum issues.
Churches prepare for Racial Justice Sunday amidst debate on multiculturalism
-04/09/06
As a debate rages in the UK over the value of multiculturalism, thousands of churches in Britain and Ireland are preparing to mark Racial Justice Sunday.
The day is organized by the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ) which is dedicated to building communities and breaking down barriers.
Through its Racial Justice Fund, CCRJ funds small anti-racism projects and many churches raise money for the Fund each year on Racial Justice Sunday.
The day this year falls on 10th September, and comes after a new debate about the benefits of multiculturalism, which encourages different communities to live separately, as opposed to integration, where immigrants are encouraged to adopt their host country’s language and customs.
Communities secretary Ruth Kelly last month raised questions about whether multiculturalism was working in Britain, or whether it was simply creating a collection of isolated groups of people who did not understand or trust each other.
Britain’s first black archbishop has been amongst those who have recently critiqued how multiculturalism works in the UK.
CCRJ Manager Andy Bruce believes it is important for churches to take up the challenge of Racial Justice Sunday. “Everyone is talking about community building,” he says. “Here’s how they can do something positive.” He wants to encourage churches to take a second look at their attitudes to racism, to pray, to celebrate diversity and to work locally for racial justice.
A resource pack is available in English and Welsh to help churches. This offers guidelines, prayers, reflections and ideas for action. Information sheets explain both the challenges of, and how churches have responded to, the issues of racial violence, education, employment, Gypsies and Travellers, and asylum and immigration.
The Revd Claudette Douglas (CCRJ Research and Development Officer) explains: “CCRJ works through the Racial Justice Fund to reach small organizations working to combat racism. This way the Fund acts as a lifeline that brings with it a network of resources and developmental support that will transform communities.”
Racial Justice Sunday is co-ordinated by the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ) working together with the Catholic Association for Racial Justice, the Methodist Racial Justice Committee, the United Reformed Church Racial Justice Office, CYT€N (Churches Together in Wales), the Scottish Churches Racial Justice Group, the Refugee Project of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and others.
CCRJ is well-known for its anti-racism work and is responsible for Asylum Principles, published this year and enabling the Churches to speak with one voice on asylum issues.