Archbishop of Canterbury critical of 'deconstructing whiteness' job ad

The Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed he is critical of job adverts for roles in the Church of England like a "deconstructing whiteness officer". 

He told Times Radio that he called up those in charge to challenge the language in some of the adverts. 

A full-time job is being advertised by the Dioese of Birmingham for the position of an "anti-racism practice officer (deconstructing whiteness)", to much criticism.

Archbishop Justin Welby says he cautioned officials about the language in such adverts over concerns that it smacked of W1A, the satirical sitcom that pokes fun at BBC managerial-speak. 

Telling Times Radio about his intervention, he said, "I rang up the person in charge of that area and said, 'What on earth does it mean? Why on earth have you put it in?' I said, 'Look, this sounds a bit like W1A, can we please do these things in English?'"

He added: "What the person's job is across six parishes is to make sure that those from ethnic minority backgrounds who apply for jobs have a level playing field."

Rev Dr Ian Paul, a member of the Archbishops' Council, told The Telegraph that such language had been "imported from the culture wars in the US", and risked "alienating ordinary members of the Church of England".

The Church of England has faced criticism after an Oversight Group said it should raise a £1 billion in funding to "address past wrongs of slavery". 

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.