Churches across the UK united on Sunday in a stand for racial justice and equality as they celebrated Racial Justice Sunday.
The day is organised each year by the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ), a body working against racism within the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). The celebrations on Sunday 11th September were significant as it also marked the day’s 10th anniversary.
In addition, the day became more significant this year as it coincided with the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy in the United States. Promoters of the nationwide event have publicised the aim of the day as being a stimulus for U.K. Christians to meditate on how people in the world can overcome differences and live in harmony.
"Although it is a coincidence that the tenth anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday falls on Sept. 11, it is very appropriate," the acting moderator of the CCRJ, Pat White said.
White continued, "The attacks on New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001 and the London bombings in July this year both led to very real tensions between different communities. There has been a lot of scapegoating and stereotyping. Since the July 7 bombings, there has been a huge rise in racist and anti-Muslim attacks.”
White also testified that Racial Justice Sunday was about an affirmation to live together in mutual respect, and the day was something that could go a long way to making that possible.
"It’s about saying that human diversity can be a source of strength and delight and doesn’t have to be feared. It draws attention to injustices but says we can overcome them peacefully. It says 'no' to fear, prejudice and violence, 'yes' to diversity, love and respect," White declared.
Britain and the United States have been able to experience solidarity with one another in the aftermaths of the tragic terrorist attacks in London and New York. In July this year, 52 people were killed and 700 injured when four suicide bombers set off bombs on three London underground trains and a Central London bus. Three suspects were identified as Pakistani while one was Jamaican; with all eventually being linked to extremist Muslim beliefs.
The general director of the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK), Rev Joel Edwards, and the president of the Catholic Association Against for Racial Justice Rt Rev Kieran Conry, offered testimonies at the service held at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams offered a message stating: "The road to true racial justice has proved, as we always knew it would, a long and arduous distance we have travelled."
Rev Arlington Trotman, Director of the CCRJ reported to Black Britain News that the event was a way for "churches to take time out to recognise the need for Christians to understand black and minority ethnic people and also to engage in building bridges across cultures and ethnicities to develop a much more harmonious society."
Rev Katei Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), also participated in the Racial Justice Sunday event at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
"Any one event will improve relations, I think it certainly raises awareness," she said to Black Britain. "They [Radical Justice Sunday events] remind our society that there still are issues of harmony that have not been addressed but also it’s a chance for these issues that have been addressed to be celebrated."
Special national celebrations were also held in Glasgow and Cardiff as well as hundreds of local services taking place around Britain and Ireland. Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Protestant Churches united together to help support the event throughout its churches.
