Behind Stained-Glass: A Chilling Look at Institutional Racism in the Church of England

A recent investigative report, Behind Stained-Glass, reveals stark realities of systemic racial disparities within the Church of England. The Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice, tasked with uncovering the experiences of non-white and ethnic minority clergy, conducted an extensive six-month review. The findings paint a troubling picture of racial injustice and a lack of diversity in leadership across the institution.

One of the report’s central conclusions is a clear “lack of diversity in leadership.” Senior roles within the Church are “predominantly occupied by white males,” according to the report. It suggests that “biased recruitment and progression processes” and the prevalence of “stereotyping” contribute significantly to this pattern, reinforcing barriers that prevent people of Global Majority Heritage (GMH) backgrounds from ascending into leadership roles.

This situation has had profound impacts on representation within the Church. For many individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, it is difficult to envision themselves in Church of England ministry; the absence of role models who reflect their own identities creates a disheartening environment for potential leaders. The report underlines this by noting that GMH clergy often experience a “significant mismatch between the Church’s espoused aspirations for racial justice” and their own “lived realities.”

The report also highlights the elitism of traditional theological qualifications as a hindrance. It states that “greater value appears to be attached to UK qualifications and people from ‘traditional Anglican’ backgrounds” than to those with diverse backgrounds and non-traditional pathways into ministry. This bias in academic criteria further disadvantages people from working-class or ethnically diverse backgrounds, who are less likely to have attended elite UK theological institutions.

The Behind Stained-Glass report does, however, acknowledge positive examples where intentional diversity initiatives are in place. Dioceses in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Southwark are praised for their proactive efforts to collect data on the racial diversity of their clergy, demonstrating a commitment to promoting inclusivity and accountability.

Among the report’s recommendations, it urges that each diocese adopt a Diocesan Anti-Racism Plan to systematically address and track the racial demographics within its ministry. Additionally, it calls for the implementation of a “zero tolerance” policy towards racial discrimination, including measures to address both overt and subtle forms of bias within the institution.

Behind Stained-Glass has sparked a much-needed conversation on the Church of England’s structural barriers and brings attention to the gap between the institution’s stated commitments to racial justice and the actual experiences of ethnic minorities within its ranks. This report offers a critical opportunity for the Church to confront these issues and take actionable steps towards a more inclusive and just future.

Article Source: https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/report-finds-institutional-racism-in-church-of-england