‘Eurocentric’ prayers should be avoided to improve inclusivity, according to guidance by the Church of England.
In what is believed to be the first example of Church of England prayer being subject to diversity plans, the Diocese of Norwich has issued parishes with an ‘anti-racist toolkit’.
The toolkit tells priests to ensure prayers are not ‘entirely Eurocentric’.
It says: ‘Invite people to say the Lord’s Prayer in their own language and ensure that intercessions are aligned with the concerns of the congregation and are not entirely eurocentric.’
The guidance for around 650 churches, mostly in rural East Anglia, also says churches should seek to ‘include different languages and topics in the prayers’ and ‘display Images that reflect diversity in the Body of Christ’.
It also tells churches to recognise special days which people from ethnic minorities may celebrate, such as Racial Justice Sunday.
Using different languages in songs and hymns to improve ‘linguistic diversity and intercultural worship’ in music is encouraged.
Rev Dr Ian Paul, associate minister at St Nic’s, Nottingham, told the Telegraph: ‘It seems extraordinary that, in a diocese which is 95 per cent white, money is being spent on this, including a full-time racial justice officer, when parishes are crying out for more clergy.’
‘Eurocentric’ prayers should be avoided to improve inclusivity, according to guidance by the Church of England
Bishop of Norwich Graham Barham Usher (pictured) presides over 650 churches, mostly in rural East Anglia
The anti-racist toolkit, issued by the Diocese of Norwich, is believed to be the first example of Church of England prayer being subject to diversity plans
The advice, written by the Norwich Diocese’s Racial Justice Action Group, says that the diocese is ‘very white in terms of population, but the schools are becoming more and more diverse.
‘It’s quite likely that in a few years, the ethnic makeup of some of our churches will start to reflect this.’
It further calls on God to ‘open our hearts, that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the treasures of diversity among us’, adding congregants ‘come before you, a holy family, a rainbow people’.
Racial Justice Sunday, which takes place on the second Sunday of February, is a day to ‘reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity,’ the Church of England says.
The Norwich guidance encourages clergy to start a ‘Collect for Racial Justice Sunday’, with suggested prayers reading: ‘Stir the hearts of your people that, rejoicing in our diversity, we may repent of the wrongs of the past’.
It tells ‘mono-cultural’ parishes to be particularly receptive to diversity, even if there is none in the parish.
‘We should find ways to reflect that in our churches, even if someone from a different culture is not physically present,’ it adds.
The guidance, which includes a foreword saying the Church of England’s track record on racial justice is poor, launched last September.
In November, a review by the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice took aim at congregations in predominantly white areas for their ‘lack of cultural awareness’
Weeks later the Church of England’s racial justice commission suggested congregations in rural parishes around Britain are racist.
A review by the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice took aim at congregations in predominantly white areas for their ‘lack of cultural awareness’.
The 68-page report branded the denomination as ‘structurally and institutionally’ racist.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Norwich said the toolkit is part of their response to the Church of England’s From Lament to Action report agreed by General Synod in 2021.
They added it contains a wide range of optional resources for parishes.
‘We are committed to being a Church for all in our communities and this must include people from all parts of society. It is a matter of fact that Anglicanism is a global communion and, as disciples of Jesus, we benefit from the insights of Christians from a range of cultures and experiences.
‘Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the phrase ‘rainbow people’ to describe how we might live well together and contribute to just and flourishing communities. That is our desire in the Diocese of Norwich.’
