New Toolkit Encourages Inclusive Worship
The Diocese of Norwich has introduced a new prayer guide that addresses racism and encourages clergy to move away from Eurocentric prayers. The “anti-racist toolkit,” developed by the Racial Justice Action Group, aims to align local parishes with the Church of England’s broader efforts to combat racism. The guide suggests ways to incorporate racial justice themes into worship, particularly in predominantly white areas like rural East Anglia.
Addressing Changing Demographics in Rural Parishes
Although Norfolk remains about 94% white, the toolkit highlights growing diversity in schools and local communities. It advises clergy to prepare for demographic shifts by using more inclusive prayers, languages, and imagery. One recommendation encourages priests to create a “Collect for Racial Justice Sunday,” including prayers for repentance of historical injustices and celebrations of diversity. The guide also suggests displaying images that reflect racial diversity, even in parishes with little or no ethnic variation.
Encouraging Repentance and Diverse Representation
The toolkit includes example prayers, such as one referring to worshippers as “a holy family, a rainbow people.” It also directs clergy to external resources, like the website PrayerCast, for prayers related to global racial justice issues. The Rt. Rev. Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn, endorsed the initiative, emphasizing that Norfolk’s economy, including its hospitals and agricultural sector, benefits from workers of diverse backgrounds. She argued that fostering inclusion is vital for the Church’s future relevance.
Historical Context and Church of England’s Anti-Racism Efforts
The toolkit aligns with recommendations from the Church’s anti-racist task force, established after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. In 2021, the Church’s General Synod approved the “From Lament to Action” report, which outlined steps to address racism, including acknowledging historical links to the slave trade and reconsidering colonial-era monuments.
Criticism Over Resource Allocation
Not everyone supports the initiative. The Rev. Ian Paul, associate minister at St. Nic’s in Nottingham, questioned prioritizing racial justice efforts in an overwhelming white region. He pointed to clergy shortages in many parishes and suggested that financial resources could be better spent addressing those pressing needs.
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CofE diocese’s new inclusive prayer guide says Christianity spread by racist Europeans
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