Churches Celebrate Ethnic Diversity

Churchgoers in Britain will celebrate ethnic diversity as they gather for Racial Justice Sunday, an annual event to overcome racism coordinated by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).

"In the current climate of growing fear and mistrust where to be 'other' is perceived as dangerous and threatening, there is an urgent need to embrace those in the community we do not normally connect with," said Myra Blyth, Moderator of CTBI's Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).

She continued, "By sharing hospitality and creating safe places, churches can help black, white and Asian people, Travellers and people seeking asylum to meet together and begin to build new trust and respect for each other."

The Diocese of York and Manchester are holding events this weekend in relation to Racial Justice Sunday. An exhibition and special service will be held at the Minster in York with different cultural groups performing. Diversity of faith and culture will be celebrated in Manchester as the St John’s Church, Al Khizra Mosque and the Jewish Museum in Cheetham and Crumpsall holds "open day" events for people to understand each other's faiths.

"Cheetham is a part of Manchester that has always absorbed refugees and immigrants, and there is an opportunity on our doorstep to encourage greater understanding between the historic world faiths," said Rev Daniel Burton, the vicar of Cheetham. "There can be no more important way of commemorating the anniversary of September 11th than a festival like this - to affirm that different religions can not only co-exist, but actually celebrate one another's strengths.”




Jenny Lee
Ecumenical Press