Catholic Association for Racial Justice celebrates 40th anniversary

Franciscan Sr Kumari Fernando from Brixton

Southwark Cathedral's Amigo Hall was packed for the 40th anniversary celebration of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) last Saturday.

Since its establishment in June 1984, this minority-led organisation has worked on a wide range of issues, including policing, religious hatred, black history, health inequalities and the changing face of Britain. They have given particular attention to urban poverty, schools, young people, Gypsies, Travellers, Romas and Caste discrimination in the UK.

In her welcome message, CARJ Chairperson Yogi Sutton said: "We will use this opportunity to reflect on our past and explore where the Spirit might be calling us in future."

After an opening prayer and blessing from Bishop Paul McAleenan, the day began with a talk by Fr Dan Mason about his work as national Chaplain to Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) Community, which began in 2010 when he assigned to a parish in Essex, near the largest Traveller site in the country - Dale Farm. The parish and local school became very involved with the Travellers as they struggled with the local council, and eventually saw many of their homes demolished in a brutal eviction. Fr Dan is still very involved as Diocesan chaplain - both pastorally and in campaigns supporting GRT rights.

Irish Traveller Charlie Doherty then gave an inspiring talk about his own life and work with the Traveller Movement. After leaving school at the age of 11 to do manual work with his father, he took some part-time courses, did an internship with the Traveller Movement and is soon to begin studying for a theology and philosophy degree at St Mary's University.

The next speaker was Deacon Alfred Banya, focussing on Black vocations. He noted that it was the fourth anniversary of the death of George Floyd and lamented the fact that there are so few black priests, altar servers and no black bishops in the UK.

Jesuit Fr Gerard Mitchell then gave a presentation on the Dalits, class and hope for the future. He described the work of the Christian Network Against Caste Discrimination. Fr Gerard noted that while 80% of Dalit are Christian and there are several Dalit Bishops - the Archbishop of Hyderabad is a Dalit and a Cardinal - he noted that there are very few Dalit Bishops in the Indian Bishops Conference. He also pointed out that the issue of Caste and Casteism has not, so far, been mentioned at the Synod.

Jackie McLoughlin, founder of the Sutton Deanery Community Sponsorship Group, who was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her work to bring a Syrian refugee family to the UK and support their resettlement, called for an establishment of safe routes in her talk.

Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, highlighted that race issues have slipped down the agenda of our Churches. Those facing discrimination should be greeted not with hostility but with hospitality. He said: "Let us stand together as justice seekers."

Speaking from the audience, Paul Donovan, journalist and Labour Councillor in Wanstead Village, London Borough of Redbridge, asked why Church leaders haven't called out the government for their "illegal and racist policies."

Another person speaking from the floor said, "as a black person I feel invisible in my church and I know many people who are leaving to go Pentecostal Churches. Richard Reddie answered, "this idea that other churches are better is worrying" - but he said he suspected people might have the same experience in other churches also. He added: "This issue must be on the agenda at all times. We need to be proactive not just reactive. This conversation must not end here."

Sr Kumari Fernando, from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, described the work of her community based in Brixton.

The final address was given by Fr Phil Sumner, who introduced CARJ's new 'Racial Justice Agenda for Change' report, which puts forward a strategy for bringing about a racially just Church and society. He said: "this is a goal which continues to elude us in the 21st century."

Bishop McAleenan commented: "Significantly the final talk of the day was titled 'Agenda for Change' which presented CARJ's next step in pursuit of equality and racial justice, summed up in the acronym BIAS - Belonging, Information, Accompaniment, Strategies. One may think that any discussion of racism would inevitably be depressing, CARJ however celebrated the day with enthusiasm, encouragement and joy. The day concluded with Mass in adjacent St George's Cathedral, the recessional hymn reinforcing the mood of hope, trust and positivity, 'He's got the whole world in his hands'."

LINK

CARJ: www.carj.org.uk/